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Ralph Stover Keyser (May 10, 1883 – April 19, 1955) was a highly decorated officer of the
United States of America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...
with the rank of
major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...
, who is most noted for his service as the 15th Assistant to the Major General Commandant of the Marine Corps and a distinguished marksman, who participated in world matches. He was the recipient of Navy Cross, the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
military's second-highest
decoration Decoration may refer to: * Decorative arts * A house painter and decorator's craft * An act or object intended to increase the beauty of a person, room, etc. * An award that is a token of recognition to the recipient intended for wearing Other ...
awarded for valor in combat.


Early career

Ralph S. Keyser was born May 10, 1883, in
Thoroughfare, Virginia Thoroughfare is an unincorporated community in western Prince William County, Virginia. Roughly located on Virginia State Route 55 about 1.5 miles West of Haymarket where the Norfolk Southern Railway The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Cla ...
, as a son of Charles Eugene and Mary Gill Stover Keyser. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1902 and participated in the
Philippine–American War The Philippine–American War or Filipino–American War ( es, Guerra filipina-estadounidense, tl, Digmaang Pilipino–Amerikano), previously referred to as the Philippine Insurrection or the Tagalog Insurgency by the United States, was an arm ...
. He applied for Marine Corps commission during 1905 and was subsequently was commissioned second lieutenant on March 29, 1905. Keyser was subsequently ordered to the
School of Application The United States Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS) is a training regiment designed to screen and evaluate potential Marine Corps Officers. Those who successfully complete the period of instruction are commissioned as Second Lieutena ...
at
Annapolis, Maryland Annapolis ( ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Maryland and the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Anne Arundel County. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east o ...
, for further officer training, which he completed in April 1906. Among his classmates at that time, were his lifelong friends
Holland M. Smith Holland McTyeire "Howlin' Mad" Smith, KCB (April 20, 1882 – January 12, 1967) was a general in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He is sometimes called the "father" of modern U.S. amphibious warfare. His nickname, "Howl ...
, Andrew B. Drum or
Maurice E. Shearer Maurice Edwin Shearer (December 19, 1879 – June 26, 1953) was a highly decorated Brigadier General in the United States Marine Corps. In 1918, Major Shearer of the 5th Marine Regiment, led Marines in the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood in ...
. Following the school, he was attached to the Marine detachment aboard the newly commissioned battleship USS ''Louisiana'' and sailed to Cuba in order to suppress armed revolt of independence war veterans who defeated the meager government forces. Louisiana was then stationed in the Caribbean during the construction of Panama Canal and joined Great White Fleet in December 1907. While aboard the ''Louisiana'', Keyser took part in the voyage around the world with the stops in
Port of Spain Port of Spain (Spanish: ''Puerto España''), officially the City of Port of Spain (also stylized Port-of-Spain), is the capital of Trinidad and Tobago and the third largest municipality, after Chaguanas and San Fernando. The city has a municip ...
,
Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the state of the same name, Brazil's third-most populous state, and the second-most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Listed by the GaWC as a b ...
, Punta Arenas,
Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
,
Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
,
Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The List of New Zealand urban areas by population, most populous urban area in the country and the List of cities in Oceania by po ...
,
Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...
,
Yokohama is the second-largest city in Japan by population and the most populous municipality of Japan. It is the capital city and the most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a 2020 population of 3.8 million. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of To ...
,
Singapore Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
, entering the Indian Ocean in December 1908; they coaled in
Colombo Colombo ( ; si, කොළඹ, translit=Koḷam̆ba, ; ta, கொழும்பு, translit=Koḻumpu, ) is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo me ...
and passed through the
Suez Canal The Suez Canal ( arz, قَنَاةُ ٱلسُّوَيْسِ, ') is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez and dividing Africa and Asia. The long canal is a popular ...
with another stops in
Port Said Port Said ( ar, بورسعيد, Būrsaʿīd, ; grc, Πηλούσιον, Pēlousion) is a city that lies in northeast Egypt extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, north of the Suez Canal. With an approximate population of 6 ...
,
Gibraltar ) , anthem = " God Save the King" , song = " Gibraltar Anthem" , image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg , map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe , map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green , mapsize = , image_map2 = Gib ...
, and finally returned to
Hampton Roads Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water in the United States that serves as a wide channel for the James River, James, Nansemond River, Nansemond and Elizabeth River (Virginia), Elizabeth rivers between Old Point Comfort and Sewell's ...
on 22 February 1909. Keyser was detached from ''Louisiana'' in April 1909 and promoted to the rank of first lieutenant one month later. He was subsequently ordered to Naval Air Station Pensacola,
Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
for brief duty as commanding officer of Marine Barracks there and subsequently assumed duty as executive officer of the Marine Corps Rifle range at
Wakefield, Massachusetts Wakefield is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, incorporated in 1812 and located about north-northwest of Downtown Boston. Wakefield's population was 27,090 at the 2020 census. Wakefield offers ...
. He spent next three years with shooting competitions, winning first place in 1911 with Marine Corps rifle team at the Marine Barracks Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...
and first place at
Camp Perry Camp Perry is a National Guard training facility located on the shore of Lake Erie in northern Ohio near Port Clinton. In addition to its regular mission as a military training base, Camp Perry also boasts the second largest outdoor rifle range ...
,
Ohio Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...
, in 1911. He also qualified as Distinguished Marksman in 1911 and received Distinguished Marksman Badge. He was ordered to
Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
in January 1912 and served as assistant naval attache at the American embassy in
Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
until February 1915. Keyser also became fluent in Japanese language during his service in Japan. Upon his return to the United States, Keyser was ordered as Range officer to the Marine Corps Rifle Range at Winthrop, Maryland and also captained Marine Rifle Team, which won 2nd place at the competition at the
Naval Air Station Jacksonville Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jacksonville) is a large naval air station located approximately eight miles (13 km) south of the central business district of Jacksonville, Florida, United States., effective 2007-10-25 Location NAS Jack ...
,
Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
. He was promoted to the rank of captain in September 1916 and assumed duty as aide to the commandant of the Marine Corps, George Barnett. While in this capacity, Keyser was promoted to the rank of major in May 1917.


World War I

Following the entry of the United States into World War I, Keyser requested combat in Europe. His request was granted and Keyser sailed to
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
in February 1918. He joined the General Staff of 2nd Army Division under Major General Omar Bundy and served in the Intelligence section until the beginning of June 1918. Keyser subsequently joined
5th Marine Regiment The 5th Marine Regiment (also referred to as "5th Marines") is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the most highly decorated regiment in the Marine Corps and falls u ...
and assumed duty as executive officer of 2nd Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Frederic M. Wise. Keyser subsequently took part in the Battle of Belleau Wood in June 1918 and assumed command of 2nd battalion on June 23. He distinguished himself and received his first
Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an e ...
for bravery and led his battalion during the battle of Soissons on July 18, 1918. Keyser distinguished himself while leading the attack in the vicinity of Soissons in order to support of 3rd Brigade advance. His battalion suffered heavy casualties by German artillery, machine guns and snipers hidden in the woods, so Keyser assembled approximately 250 men of his battalion and led them one and half kilometer under enemy fire until they reached the woods of Léchelle. He ordered his men to dig in and placed his command post on the frontline in order to boost morale and fighting spirit. Keyser was slightly wounded on July 20 and ordered back to the staff od 2nd Army Division, now commanded by Marine Major General
John A. Lejeune John Archer Lejeune (; January 10, 1867 – November 20, 1942) was a United States Marine Corps lieutenant general and the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Lejeune served for nearly 40 years in the military, and commanded the U.S. Army's 2n ...
. For his gallantry in action at Soissons, Keyser was decorated together with three
Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an e ...
s, but these decorations were later upgraded to Navy Cross, the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
military's second-highest
decoration Decoration may refer to: * Decorative arts * A house painter and decorator's craft * An act or object intended to increase the beauty of a person, room, etc. * An award that is a token of recognition to the recipient intended for wearing Other ...
awarded for valor in combat. While again on the staff of 2nd Army Division, Keyser served as assistant chief of staff for intelligence (G-2) during the battles of Saint-Mihiel in Meuse Department and
Blanc Mont Ridge The Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge (3 October to 27 October 1918) occurred during World War I, northeast of Reims, in Champagne, France. The US Army's 2nd Infantry Division and the 36th Infantry Division alongside the French Fourth Army opposed ...
in Champagne province. He received his second
Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an e ...
for gallantry in action during Blanc Mont Ridge battle. Keyser remained on the staff of 2nd Army Division during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and following the Armistice in November 1918, took part in the
Occupation of the Rhineland The Occupation of the Rhineland from 1 December 1918 until 30 June 1930 was a consequence of the collapse of the Imperial German Army in 1918, after which Germany's provisional government was obliged to agree to the terms of the 1918 armist ...
in
Coblenz Koblenz (; Moselle Franconian: ''Kowelenz''), spelled Coblenz before 1926, is a German city on the banks of the Rhine and the Moselle, a multi-nation tributary. Koblenz was established as a Roman military post by Drusus around 8 B.C. Its name ...
. He was decorated with the
Army Distinguished Service Medal The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a military decoration of the United States Army that is presented to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility. Th ...
for his service as Divisional Intelligence officer and also received Légion d'honneur, rank of Knight, French Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with Palm and Gilt Star and Belgian Order of the Crown, rank Officer.


Interwar period

Keyser returned to the United States with the rest of Fourth Marine Brigade in August 1919 and assumed duty with the recruiting office in
Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
, Georgia. He held this assignment until March 1920, when he was transferred to Quantico for duty with
6th Marine Regiment The 6th Marine Regiment (also referred to as "6th Marines") is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The regiment falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Division (Unite ...
. Keyser also held temporary command of the regiment from November 1923 to February 1924. While at Quantico, he also captained the Marine Corps Rifle Team until March 1924, when he was ordered for expeditionary duty to
Nicaragua Nicaragua (; ), officially the Republic of Nicaragua (), is the largest country in Central America, bordered by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Managua is the cou ...
. While stationed in
Managua ) , settlement_type = Capital city , motto = , image_map = , mapsize = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Nicara ...
as commanding officer of the Marine detachment at the American embassy, he drafted the plans of Nicaraguan constabulary. His proposal were adopted by the State Department, with the personal commendation of Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes, and were formally presented to the Nicaraguan government. He was ordered back to the United States in August 1925 and served at the Headquarters Marine Corps in
Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
, with the section of Operations and Training until April 1930. Keyser also acted as captain of the U.S. international rifle team at the World Matches in
Stockholm Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...
,
Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...
, in 1929. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in September 1930 and following his promotion to colonel in May 1934, he was appointed director of Operations and Training Division in the office of the major general commandant, John H. Russell. Keyser was commended for his administration and development of that division by the commandant. His tour of duty at Headquarters Marine Corps ended in June 1936, and Keyser requested retirement, which was granted on February 1, 1937. He was advanced to the rank of
brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.


World War II

Keyser was contacted by his old friend, now
Commandant of the Marine Corps The commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) is normally the highest-ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Joint Chiefs of Staff: composition; functions. The CMC reports directly to the secr ...
,
Thomas Holcomb General (United States), General Thomas Holcomb (August 5, 1879 – May 24, 1965) was a United States Marine Corps officer who served as the seventeenth Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1936 to 1943. He was the first Marine to achieve the ra ...
in March 1941 and asked whether he would return to active duty. Keyser agreed and following the doctors examination, he was recalled to active duty in June 1941 with the rank of brigadier general. He was appointed director of the Division of Reserve and served in this capacity until March 1942. Holcomb commended Keyser for his work in officer procurement and subsequently asked President Roosevelt for nominating him for that office of Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. Roosevelt approved the nomination and Keyser was appointed to the capacity of Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps in March 1942. But Keyser's heart condition forced him to leave the office in May of that year, and he was ordered to the Naval hospital in Bethesda for treatment. His health did not get better, and Keyser retired again on October 1, 1942. He was not called back to active duty for the duration of the war and was also promoted to the rank of
major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...
on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat. Keyser died on April 19, 1955, in the Naval Hospital,
Bethesda, Maryland Bethesda () is an unincorporated, census-designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland. It is located just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House (1820, rebuilt 1849), which in ...
. He is buried together with his wife Charlotte Capers (1896–1992) at
Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...
,
Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...
.


Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Keyser:


See also

* Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps


References

: * {{DEFAULTSORT:Keyser, Ralph S. 1883 births 1955 deaths People from Prince William County, Virginia United States Marine Corps generals United States Marine Corps personnel of World War I United States Marine Corps World War II generals United States Distinguished Marksman Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) Recipients of the Silver Star Chevaliers of the Légion d'honneur Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France) Officers of the Order of the Crown (Belgium) Burials at Arlington National Cemetery American military personnel of the Banana Wars