A Courageous, Heroic Leader | Meet Army MOH Recipient Keith Ware

At 25 years old, Keith Ware was drafted into the US Army, thereby jumpstarting his decades-long military career. Sensing his knack for strategy and leadership, Ware completed Officer Candidate School at Fort Moore (then Fort Benning), Georgia, before commissioning as a second lieutenant on July 18, 1942. From there, he participated in several international campaigns during World War II, including operations in Italy and France.

A Daring Act of Leadership

On December 26, 1944, then-Lieutenant Colonel Ware led the 15th Infantry Regiment’s 1st Battalion to attack a strongly held enemy position on a hill near Sigolsheim, France. As the battle waged, one of Ware’s companies was overwhelmed by heavy casualties and enemy artillery, machine-gun fire, and mortars. Ware knew that his men needed some kind of encouragement, a boost of spirits. Without regard for his personal safety, Ware snuck ahead about 150 yards in front of friendly lines, catching the enemy’s attention. For two hours, Ware intentionally took the brunt of enemy fire, revealing enemy locations to his comrades. His fearless actions and selfless leadership breathed new life into the company.

Ware briefly went back to his men, grabbed an automatic rifle, and returned to enemy lines, making swift advances. Two officers, 9 soldiers, and a tank willingly followed the brave leader. One of these men was future Medal of Honor Recipient Audie Murphy. Ware moved from one enemy machine-gun position to the next, and ultimately demolished four separate positions. Even after he was wounded, Ware continued to direct his team and the tank to fire upon enemy fighters until the 1st Battalion secured the area. For his valiant service and immensely courageous acts of heroism, Ware was bestowed the Medal of Honor on April 22, 1945.

A Fateful Reassignment


Ware remained in the Army after the war, and earned a degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC. While there, he met his future wife, Joyce. They were married five months later on May 3, 1947. Ware’s next assignment was teaching Military Psychology at West Point. The dark-haired, glasses-wearing instructor commanded much respect from his cadets, and they learned valuable lessons and insights from his personal experiences.

When the Korean War broke out, Ware served from March 1955 to June 1957, then briefly returned to Washington, DC, to serve as a Congressional Liaison. He served several more tours of duty in the States, earning promotions with each. Ware earned the rank of major general on July 1, 1966.

His next scheduled assignment was to be in Germany. However, he appealed for reassignment to Vietnam, which he was granted. Ware took over as commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion, affectionately known as “Big Red One.” Six months later, on September 13, 1968, Ware’s helicopter was shot down. He had been using the same tactics from decades earlier to draw enemy fire to himself to better direct fire from his company.

Ware was the first Army general killed in action in Vietnam, and he remains the only Recipient since World War I to be killed in action in a later war.

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