Deceased Indian gets Medal of Honor

Sioux man served in Korean War

A uniform worn by Master Sergeant Woodrow Wilson Keeble, a Korean War veteran, and a shawl from his wife, Blossom, were on display during a White House ceremony honoring him. (Jason Reed/REUTERS)

WASHINGTON - More than a quarter-century after his death and 56 years after he single-handedly took out three enemy machine-gun nests in the Korean War, Army Master Sergeant Woodrow Wilson Keeble was awarded the Medal of Honor yesterday - the first Sioux to receive the United States' top decoration for bravery in battle.

"On behalf of our grateful nation, I deeply regret that this tribute comes decades too late," President Bush said before presenting the medal to Keeble's stepson, Russell Hawkins, and great-nephew, Kurt Bluedog, during a ceremony at the White House. "He will never stand here to see the pride of his friends and loved ones, as I see in their eyes now."

Behind Bush on the stage in the East Room were two empty chairs - acknowledging, in accordance with Sioux tradition, the passage of Keeble and his wife, Blossom, into the spiritual world.

Keeble served in the North Dakota National Guard in World War II and Korea.

On Oct. 20, 1951, Keeble led three platoons against Chinese soldiers who controlled a steep and fortified hill that protected an enemy supply line near the Kumsong River in North Korea. Armed only with hand grenades and a Browning automatic rifle, Keeble eliminated three machine-gun nests while the bulk of the enemy fire was directed at him.

"As Woody first started off," Bush said during the ceremony, "someone saw him and remarked, 'Either he's the best soldier I have ever met, or he's crazy.' " By the time Keeble was through, the president continued, "all 16 enemy soldiers were dead, the hill was taken, and the Allies won the day."