65 years later, sailor recognized for his bravery

Kenneth Keene accepts medals from Congressman Walt Minnick.

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Story Published: Jun 15, 2009 at 10:14 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jun 15, 2009 at 10:50 PM PDT

By Matt Loveless

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LEWISTON - A Riggins man's work on the World War II battlefield was finally recognized over the weekend, 65 years after his bravery in the line of fire.

Kenneth Wellington Keene was at the front lines in some of the bloodiest battles of World War II. He was in the first wave of Navy fighters to storm the beaches of Iwo Jima.

In his early 20s at the time, Keene said it seemed like a "mere maneuver" until his platoon started taking heavy enemy fire. But out of the chaos, came the type of heroism one may only hear about in movies.

"Some dead, some wounded seriously, some slightly," recited Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick, who was on hand at the Idaho State Veterans Home Saturday. "Some minus limbs, mangled and broken. At once the feeling of my duties came to my almost staggered mind, something seemed to drag me with unusual speed from one wounded man to another."

That was an excerpt from a military newspaper called Stars and Stripes, through the eyes of Keene. In a rush to discharge the Pharmacist's Mate, somehow that heroism went unrecognized.

But 65 years later, at the Veterans Home, Keene was finally awarded the decorations for that day and his other service.

"It's the honorable discharge pin, what you should have received when you mustered out," said Minnick, handing the medal to Keene.

Along with that, a Bronze Star, a World War II Victory medal, the American Campaign medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Honorable Service lapel pin all went to Keene.

"These medals are part of my history to pass down to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with the great stories of heroism and bravery of all of those around me, and all of the brave men who watched over me who were not fortunate enough to come home and tell their own stories to their families," said Keene. "And that's what these medals are all about, and I thank you all."

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