Captain, USS WISCONSIN  9/3/55-9/1/56

Keeler was born in Chicago, Ill on 13 February 1906. He entered the US Naval Academy in 1925 and graduated as Ensign in June 1929. Upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to duty aboard the USS COLORADO. In subsequent tours of duty, he served aboard the cruiser CHARLESTON, and the destroyers SIMPSON and WINSLOW. He was Staff Gunnery Officer of Commander Destroy Squadron Nine in the Atlantic and served as Executive Officer of the University of Washington NROTC. He commanded the attack transports APPLING and MENIFEE and the destroyers TALBOTT and BENHAM. Captain Keeler was also Chief Staff Officer, Destroyer Task Flotilla Four as well as Chief of Staff and Aide of Commander Cruise Division One in the Pacific. Before assuming command of the WISCONSIN on 3 September 1955, Captain Keeler was Head of the Officer Distribution Branch, Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, DC. Among his decorations are two Bronze Stars with “V,” three Letter of Commendation Ribbons with “V,” and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with seven engagement stars.