b. 04/09/1875 Washington DC. d. 15/01/1949 Washington DC.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 20/07/1898 Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
Philip B Keefer MOH
Spanish-American War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Navy during the War with Spain as a Coppersmith on board the “USS Iowa”. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery as the ship was off the coast of Santiago de Cuba on July 20, 1898. His citation reads “Following the blow-out of a manhole gasket of that vessel which caused the fireroom to be filled with live steam and the floor plates to be covered with boiling water, Keefer showed courageous and zealous conduct in hauling fires from 2 furnaces of boiler B.” His Medal was awarded to him on December 14, 1898. His ship mate, Fireman First Class Robert Penn, was also awarded the Medal of Honor for this incident. In 1921 Philip Keefer was selected to be one of the honorary pall bearers for the burial of the Unknown Soldier.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Iowa off Santiago de Cuba, 20 July 1898. Following the blow-out of a manhole gasket of that vessel which caused the fireroom to be filled with live steam and the floor plates to be covered with boiling water, Keefer showed courageous and zealous conduct in hauling fires from two furnaces of boiler B.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 11, LOT 527-SH.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
