William Morgan Keys (born 29 March 1937) is a retired United States Marine lieutenant general. Keys was a combat veteran — receiving the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War, as well as the Silver Star. Keys served as Commander, Marine Corps Forces Atlantic before retirement in 1994.
Marine Corps career
Keys was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant after graduation from United States Naval Academy in 1960. He graduated from The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico and received assignment as rifle platoon leader with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. Keys then commanded a Marine Detachment aboard the . In Vietnam, he was decorated as company nuts er with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. Keys has been awarded the Navy Cross for conspicuous gallantry in action in 1967 taking his company on independent action, surrounding a North Vietnamese battalion and inflicting heavy casualties. Keys was also awarded the Silver Star Medal for actions on 5 March 1967, while participating in Operation Prairie II. Keys served a second tour in Vietnam as an advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps. After returning from Vietnam, Keys attended Amphibious Warfare School, and later the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. As a lieutenant colonel, Keys was selected to attend the National War College in Washington, D.C. Upon completion of school, he assumed command of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. Keys served numerous staff assignments including Infantry Officers’ Monitor, Personnel Management Division, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington D.C.; Marine Corps Liaison Officer to the United States Senate; Special Projects Directorate in the Office of the Commandant; Aide de Camp to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps; Deputy Director, and subsequently Director, Personnel Management Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs Department, Headquarters Marine Corps; and the Deputy Joint Secretariat, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C. As a colonel, Keys served as commanding officer, 6th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejune from 20 October 1983 to 7 February 1986.
Upon promotion to major general, Key received assignment as Commanding General of the 2nd Marine Division, FMF, Atlantic, Camp Lejueune, North Carolina on September 27, 1989 and led the division during Operation Desert Storm in Iraq. Keys relinquished command of 2nd Marine Division to Major General Paul Van Riper on June 24, 1991. He retired as Commanding General of both U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic; II Marine Expeditionary Force in 1994.
Navy Cross citation
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