Donald Raymond Keith
General, U.S. Army

Donald Raymond Keith was born on 31 January 1927 in Ludington, MI. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as an enlisted soldier. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1949 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery. In addition to his Bachelor's Degree from the Academy, he received a Master's Degree from Columbia University in 1958, preceding a faculty assignment at West Point.

Some of General Keith's key duty assignments in his active military service were:

January 69 to July 70 - Commander, 36th Artillery Group, U.S. Army, Europe

July 70 to June 71 - Executive Officer, Office of the Chief of Research and Development, U.S. Army, Washington, DC

August 71 to August 72 - Director, Research and Analysis Directorate, Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam

September 72 to May 74 - Director of Developments, Office, Chief of Research and Development, U.S. Army, Washington, DC

May 74 to October 76 - Director of Weapon Systems, Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition, U.S. Army, Washington, DC

October 76 to October 77 - Commanding General, U.S. Army Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, OK

October 77 to December 77 - Acting Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition, U.S. Army, Washington, DC

December 77 to August 81 - Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition, U.S. Army, Washington, DC

August 81 to June 84 - Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command, Alexandria, VA

General Keith attended the Ground General School; Field Artillery School; Command and General Staff College; Armed Forces Staff College; and Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

General Keith retired from active military service on 28 June 1984.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Army Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Medal with Bronze Star
Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Army Staff Identification Badge

Honors

He received an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Akron in 1982.

In Retirement

After his retirement, he served as Chairman of the U.S. Field Artillery Association from 2002 until shortly before his death. He was succeeded by Jack N. Merritt.

Death and Burial

General Donald Raymond Keith died on 9 September 2004. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, in Section 30, Site 418 RH.