Press Release: Local Purple Heart Recipient Josephine Keller Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point
Riverside Air Force Veteran Chosen to Represent California’s Purple Heart Recipients During the 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project
(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) Josephine Keller will represent her fellow Purple Heart heroes as California’s representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded. The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. The all-expenses-paid trip includes visits to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washington’s Headquarters, a special tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and other unique tributes.
“Josephine and her fellow Patriot Project honorees represent the best of the best our country has to offer,” said Richie Lay, a Purple Heart recipient and Chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “America’s Purple Heart veterans have given so much to defend freedom and that sacrifice must always be remembered. These brave men and women are true American heroes. We are privileged to be able to provide this unique salute to service for our Purple Heart heroes.”
“Our Purple Heart recipients have made enormous sacrifices for America, and this is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation. For some, this will be like the homecoming they never had. We received hundreds of nominations from across the country and we look forward to honoring Josephine for her courage and service, both during combat operations and in the years since returning home,” said Col. Russ Vernon (NYARNG Ret.), the Executive Director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
This year’s Patriot Project honorees include men and women Purple Heart recipients from World War II, the Vietnam War, Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and other conflicts, representing all branches of the service and ranging from 37 to 100-years-old.
Asked what younger Americans should know about her service, CMSgt Keller said, “Joining the Air Force was one of the best choices I ever made. My job was enjoyable and rewarding, and the friends I served with became my forever family. I traveled the world, landed on austere landing strips in the darkness of night, safely loaded patients with equipment, and saved, sustained countless lives and learned invaluable survival skills that are still useful today. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Josephine Keller enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in September 1991 and served for more than 26 years, including participation in Operations Southern Watch, Joint Guard, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle, and New Dawn. During her first deployment to Saudi Arabia in 1996, Keller’s unit was housed in the Khobar Towers when a truck carrying a bomb was detonated, killing 19 and injuring Keller and over 400 other personnel. At the time of the attack, Keller was out for a fitness walk. She had just passed the front when the bomb was detonated. The blast slammed her to the ground. Keller recalled, “I felt like a weight was holding me down and then like my head was in a bowl echoing and I couldn’t hear. I ran with another Airman, and tried to enter a building but, glass was crashing down so we closed the doors & ran towards the center of the compound where we found others running for safety. Once I arrived at the center of the complex, I quickly started a triage area and worked on the wounded all through the night. The next afternoon I was ordered/escorted to be evaluated and treated for my own wounds.
Along with her Purple Heart, CMSgt Keller was awarded numerous medals and commendations during her service, including the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor & 1 Oak Leaf Cluster,
Married to a fellow Air Force veteran who is also retired from the U.S. Air Force, the Kellers spend time volunteering in veteran’s organizations, assisting veteran friends with various needs, advocation for mental Health and suicide prevention. They enjoy traveling in their RV and going to beaches.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located just north of West Point, New York, near the site where General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The Badge, a purple cloth cut in the shape of a heart, was the forerunner of today’s Purple Heart medal. In addition to creating the museum, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp now issued by the US Postal Service, and the organization was the driving force behind the nation’s first official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin series, which was issued by the United States Mint in 2022.
Those wishing to learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or donate to support the Purple Heart Patriot Project should visit www.PurpleHeartMission.org.
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