| Charles Keith |
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Charles Walker (Preacher) Keith was born on September 2, 1957 near Jackson, Kentucky. He passes away on August 12, 2013, while working as contracted role-playing OPFOR for troops pre-deployment training at Ft. Dix, NJ. Chuck served with 1st BN (Ranger) 75th INF from the mid 70's - 1984. He participated in Operation Eagle Claw and Operation Urgent Fury. The young Ranger served in all three line companies and was also a Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) instructor. He graduated USMC Scout-Sniper School where the instructors raved about his performance. During the Grenada invasion, Chuck was the senior sniper from Charlie Company. Ranger Keith was a legend and always the funniest guy in the room. Chuck earned the nickname Preacher because he would preach every chance he could. He would have a full church service if he had the time. He would read from his Ranger Handbook. "Today's reading will be from the book of Ambush, Chapter 1, Security!" Then have a sermon about a Ranger topic. He would end with a prayer about "doing the Lord's bidding and killing the Godless Communist" and praying "for our bullets to fly true and find their targets." Chuck served with 2nd Ranger Company/5th RTB 1984-1988,where he served on the Mountaineering Committee. Ranger Keith deployed during Operation Desert Shield/Storm with the 1st Inf Div LURSU. During his time in the unit, soldiers worshipped him as a leader and a trainer. During the early 90's, Chuck server with the 101st Airborne as a team leader in the Pathfinder Company, Chief Instructor at the Air Assault School. |
