A tribute to Robert E. Keller
Drum Major
24th Marine Regiment Band, 4th Marine Division, WWII
Roi-Namur, Tinian, Saipan, Iwo Jima 1943
This is a shared correspondence from his son Bob Keller who served in the United States Navy in the Republic of Vietnam. He served with Naval Security Group (Cam Ranh Bay) and Naval Intelligence Command. He worked with special intelligence and did courier duties up and down the Mekong and other places, sometimes riding with the swift boats and PBR's to places that weren't trusted with secured communications equipment and to human intelligence assets. He ended his Navy career in the Pentagon, Wash. D.C. with Naval Intelligence Command. There he served on a 3-man team that debriefed the USS Pueblo crew when they were released by the N. Koreans and did the intelligence damage assessment study.
A BIG Semper Fi to him!
Bob Keller shared some great Photos
(Click to enlarge them)
The 24th Regiment Band 4th Marine Division 1943 |
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24th Regiment Band Saipan, Maui 1943 1973 Reunion |
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24th Regiment Band Camp Pendleton 1943 |
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| On the beach in Saipan after the battle. Getting ready to unpack the instruments |  |
| Maui 1943 |  |
| Jazz Band 1943 |  |
Some history of this band: They were the first military unit in WWII to leave the U.S. and go directly into battle. Of the original 30 bandsmen, there were 19 casualties (6 KIA). |
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Read the Commendation from LtGeneral Geiger FMF Pac WWII