Private First Class Skeals was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He served as Fireteam 2 leader. He was Killed in Action while defending his position on Hill 313, west of Hwachon Reservoir, North Korea on 23 April 1951.

Skeals was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.