Memories of a Hero
Remembering Captain Everett "Butch" Keaton
Ellen Keaton
Ashland Beacon
Veterans Day evokes different emotions from each individual. For many it is simply a day set aside to honor those who have served to protect our country and defend our freedom. However, for the Keaton family, it brings memories of a life lost too soon as well as overwhelming pride for the service of a family member.
If you have driven on U.S. 23 through Pike County Ohio, there is a sign that reads, “Captain Everett “Butch” Keaton, Memorial Highway.” So often people see the signs but never stop to think about the “real” person the sign represents. Larry Keaton from Catlettsburg, KY shared his memories of this special family member. “We grew up in the same dresser drawer” Keaton laughed. “Butch” as they called him was Keaton’s nephew but grew up in their home as a brother. He was born Jan. 16, 1941, just 18 months before Larry. This made the bond between them extra close
In the early years the Keaton family lived in the country just outside of Waverly, Ohio. Larry’s father was killed in a logging accident when he was just nine years old. At this time the family was quite large with nine siblings although four of them were older and making life on their own. “After dad died, mom moved us into town. We didn’t have much but we had each other and that was the most important thing. Butch and I did so many things together. I remember making our own sling shots, we loved to play ball together and played in school.”
At the age of 17 Butch Keaton enlisted in the U.S. Army with the intent of making it his lifelong career. He worked his way up the ranks in the Army. By 1963, He was an E-5 and stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana training young recruits. That is where he met his wife, Betty. In April of 1967, he began Officers Candidate School and graduated number one in his class, receiving the honor and distinction of being designated the Leadership Graduate. He held the rank of Second Lieutenant at this time and was transferred to Germany.
No matter where he and his family were stationed, the Keaton home was always open to his men. It was here in 1969 that he received orders for Vietnam. In an interview with the Columbus Dispatch in 1990, Betty Keaton recalled how she had prayed if he was not going to return to give her something of him. It was the very next month she learned she was pregnant! In May of 1969 at a small airport in Alexandria, Louisiana, Keaton said goodbye to his wife who was expecting their child in just a few months, and three young children. They could not have known that this would be the last time they would be together as a family. Captain Keaton was able to go to Hawaii in November and meet his baby daughter …. this would be the one and only time he would hold or see her.
Captain, Keaton became the Commander of 9th Infantry Division, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry, D Company stationed near the vicinity of Long A Province, within the Mekong Delta area in South Vietnam. Captain Keaton led his company through a dense nipa palm and jungle area suspected of being heavily booby-trapped. Captain Keaton had assumed his usual position at the head of his company to lead his men more effectively.
Concerned about the safety of his point man, Captain Keaton positioned himself just behind him. As they moved along a trail toward a Woodline, the point man tripped a wire leading to an explosive device. Instantly recognizing the sound of a grenade being activated, Captain Keaton pushed the point man out of the way of the explosion and shielded his comrade from the blast with his own body. Although mortally wounded by the explosion, Captain Keaton saved the life of one of his own men. To honor him, his soldiers renamed their base camp in Vietnam, Camp Keaton.
Captain Keaton was inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor in 2021 and posthumously awarded the Silver Star. His other honors include a Bronze Star, Bronze Star with Third Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart Silver Star, Silver Star with Frist Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Larry Keaton was working in Arizona when he received the news of his beloved nephew’s death. “I left and drove all night … nearly one thousand miles … to get to Louisiana where his family was. It was a time of horrible grief for all of us.”
Captain Keaton was laid to rest on a gray February day in Arlington Cemetery. A fitting place for a hero
There are so many testimonials from men who served with him that confirm over and over how much he cared for his men. Samuel Martin wrote, “He led not by force or intimidation, but by example. His men recognized very quickly that their leader was willing to “walk the walk” For that he paid the ultimate price.” Another said, He would not ask anyone to do anything he would not do. Captain Keaton was a leader, and a hero in the truest sense. A scripture in the Bible reads, “Greater love hath no man than to lay his life down for a friend” John 15:13. This is exactly what Captain Keaton had done.
The Keaton family came together from across the country in April 2015 to attend the Memorial Highway dedication in Ohio. It was an extremely proud moment for the family.
Captain Everett D. Keaton’s name is on a panel etched in stone on the Vietnam Memorial wall. Many people who visit the wall make an etching of their loved one’s name to keep. Larry often talks of “Butch” and even after more than 50 years there is a still the sound of sadness in his voice. Larry prefers to simply keep the memories of him etched in his mind and heart.
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