US Mountain Ranger Association

William Deforrest Kiel 27 July 1949 - 16 October 2014 US Army, Sergeant E-5

Sergeant William Kiel served three tours of duty in Vietnam and one tour in Germany. He held three MOS's as a communication specialist. His first tour began on 10 August 1967 with the 101st Airborne Division. Sergeant Kiel extended his Vietnam assignment by volunteering for another tour where he was assigned to the 1st Air Calvary Division until 12 March 1970.

On 7 October 1971, he returned to Vietnam with the 1st Air Calvary Division for his third tour. He requested a transfer to Hotel Company, 75th Infantry, the 1st Cav's Ranger Company. He completed Ranger orientation and recon school school for Hotel Company and was assigned as the unit's communications specialist responsible for field communications for Ranger Recon teams. Not satisfied with serving in the rear, Sgt. Kiel volunteered to go to the field. He was reassigned on the company to team operations, completing several missions as an assistant team leader and later team leader.

While serving on the Ranger teams, Sergeant Kiel helped develop radio antenna which helped the Ranger teams maintain communications while in the field. His third tour ended on 2 May 1972.

Sergeant Kiel's awards include:
Vietnam Service Medal with 11 Bronze Service Stars
Vietnam Campaighn Medal, 3 awards
The Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
Two Air Medals
Two Bronze Stars w/ Oak Leaf Cluster
Several other Unit and Presidential Unit Citations

Sergeant Kiel served with distinction in the most decorated Ranger Company in Vietnam. He is a member of the US Mountain Ranger Association and the first Ranger from Hotel Company, 75th Inf. to be honored as a Fallen Ranger. His remains will be interred in at 1st Calvary Division cemetery during the annual reunion of the 1st Calvary Division LRRPS/Rangers in June 2015.

Respectfully submitted:
Chuck Windham