Beech Tree News Network

Master Sergeant Carl Leon Keller, Jr., retired to Morgantown, Kentucky in October of 1989 after a 22-year career in the U.S. Air Force.  He came back home.  At the time of his enlistment his family lived at Route 2 – Morgantown.  

Carl was born June 25, 1948, in Richmond, Indiana to Carl and Emylene Keller, the second child in a family of eight children. They had moved around Indiana back and forth from Indianapolis to Richmond.  He enlisted in the Air Force on May 25,1967.  

His assignments were all over the United States and Europe: Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Grissom AFB, Indiana; Vietnam; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Eielson AFB, Alaska; Dyess AFB, Texas; Ramstein AFB, W. Germany; Wright-Patterson, Ohio; Lowry AFB, Colorado; Seymour-Johnson AFB, N. Carolina; Hahn AFB, W. Germany; Royal Air Force Lakenheath, U.K. He retired June 1, 1989.

Carl worked at the Base Exchange at RAF Lakenheath, UK. After moving to Morgantown, he worked at Sumitomo, and IMCO Recycling until May 2010.

He joined the VFW Post 5837 in Morgantown February 2024 and became a life member in May 2024. He helps with the Bingo on Tuesdays.  Other volunteer efforts include the Toys for Tots, VFW Christmas Gifts for Children and the BC Animal Shelter.  

His decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons awarded were:

Meritorious Service Medal; AF Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster; AF Good Conduct Medal with Six Oak Leaf Clusters; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; AF Longevity Service Ribbon with Four Oak Leaf Clusters; National Defense Service Medal; AF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with Two Oak Leaf Clusters; AF Overseas Short Tour Ribbon; AF Training Ribbon; Vietnam Service Medal with Two Devices; AF Outstanding Unit Award with Two Oak Leaf Clusters; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

His primary specialties were Armament Systems Technician- 8 years & 8 months; Vehicle Operations Supervisor 12 years and 2 months; APR Security Police Specialist 1 year & 1 month.

The Green River Chapter NSDAR has previously honored 53 Veterans since 2006.