Edward G. McKeever
Era: Korea
Military Branch: Marines
McKEEVER, Edward G.
Edward G. McKeever was born in Detroit, Michigan but moved to Duluth at age 3. After attending local schools, he worked as a billing clerk for Crane Plumbing and Heating.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on February 14th 1948, serving as a member of the Duluth-based B Company, Fourth Infantry Battalion, First Marine Division. Members of B Company were called to active duty on August 21st 1950. He was a sergeant and a clerk-typist.
Mr. McKeever participated in campaigns at Wonsan, Hungnam and Chosin Reservoir from October 10th 1950, to December 21st 1951.
He received the:
- Presidential Unit Citation,
- Combat Action Ribbon,
- National Defense Service Medal,
- Korean Service Medal,
- United States Service Medal,
- U.N. Ribbon, -and-
- Korean Ribbon with one star.
He was honorably discharged on March 27th 1952.
After the war, he worked as a truck driver for Arrowhead Van and Storage and North American Van Lines. He was also actively involved in reunion activities of the B Company Marines. He initiated plans for the reunions in 1975, 1980 and 1985. He died on March 20, 1987.
McKeever Family information:
The McKeever family of Duluth had two members serve with honor in the U.S. Marine Corps, one in the Korean War and one in Vietnam.
Edward McKeever enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1948 as a member of B Company of the Fourth Marine Intantry Battalion, First Division. His unit was called to active duty on August 21st 1950, less than two months after the Korean War began.
Sgt. McKeever was involved in campaigns at Wonsan, Hungnam and the Chosin Reservoir from October 10th 1950, to December 21st 1951. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with one star.
His son, Michael, enlisted in the Marines in June 1966 during the Vietnam War. After completing his tour of duty in Vietnam, he volunteered for a second tour and was killed in action on February 23rd 1968.
The Duluth News-Tribune has documented the history of Edward and Michael McKeever, publishing a photo in August 1950 of Edward holding his son just before he departed for the war in Korea. LaVeryn McKeever, Edward’s wife and Michael’s mother is in the photo.
In 1976, the newspaper published a photo of the same three people as Michael prepared to leave for service with the Marines in the Vietnam War.
After his Korean War service, Edward McKeever was actively involved in reunion activities of the B Company Marines. He initiated plans for the reunions in 1975, 1980 and 1985. He died March 20th 1987. The B Company Marines held the 50th reunion of their departure for the war in August 2000.
Also, see link to an article: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/articl...
