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LeRoy Warren Keizer

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LeRoy Warren Keizer

Birth	:	16 Aug 1920 Plymouth County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	6 Dec 1944 Philippines
Burial	:	Grace Hill Cemetery, Hawarden, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.0052986, -96.4708023
Description	:	DEATH: LeRoy Warren Keizer, age 24, a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1094th Signal Company, USAAF, died early in the morning of December 6, 1944. Japanese troops hidden in a small plot of Leyte Islands jungle made a silent knife and bayonet dawn attack on his outfit, slaying 90 percent of the officers and 60 percent of the enlisted personnel. Born August 16, 1920 in Plymouth County, IA, LeRoy Keizer was the son of Gerben Jr. and Amy Lucille (Darville) Keizer. He attended elementary school in Plymouth County, then at Fairview, S.D. when his parents moved to... Read More	DEATH: LeRoy Warren Keizer, age 24, a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1094th Signal Company, USAAF, died early in the morning of December 6, 1944. Japanese troops hidden in a small plot of Leyte Islands jungle made a silent knife and bayonet dawn attack on his outfit, slaying 90 percent of the officers and 60 percent of the enlisted personnel. Born August 16, 1920 in Plymouth County, IA, LeRoy Keizer was the son of Gerben Jr. and Amy Lucille (Darville) Keizer. He attended elementary school in Plymouth County, then at Fairview, S.D. when his parents moved to an Iowa farm across the Sioux River from that town. The family later moved to Hawarden IA, where he graduated from High School, having participated in 1935 and 1936 classes and activities, during which he excelled in athletics and enjoyed the declamatory class. He was one of the leading characters in the class play, Tiger House and also was elected Class President and Class Treasurer. LeRoy was a cheerful, hard worker very much loved by his family consisting of mother, father, older brother Eugene, and younger siblings Doris and Milton Keizer. He joined the Methodist Church as a teenager, became an Epworth League member having perfect attendance, and later was an instructor for a class of young churchgoers. An excellent ball player, he pitched both baseball and softball and was an outstanding batter. LeRoy was skilled with either a drafting pen or paintbrush, as for example the large GK Feeds sign that hung on the exterior of the Hawarden Feed Mill for many years. Had he survived WWII, LeRoy intended to join his father in business at the mill for some time. Also, after college, wedding bells were to ring for him and his fiancé Blanche Hawkins, the daughter of his mothers childhood frienda hoped-for event in both mothers hearts, but never to be realized. Studies at Iowa State College gained LeRoy a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1943. He also participated in ballgames there, playing for a Ward team. Organizations he joined at Ames were A.I.E.E. Technical Society, Student branch; Honor Fraternity--Ward Key; and YMCA. He participated in Ward Executive Council, Ward System, Ward Athletic Council (President as a Junior), Ward News, Sports Editor, Student Activities Council, Independent Party Council, Intramural Board, and R.O.T.C. He entered military service after graduation and was schooled in Radar and Radio Communications before shipping overseas to serve his country. Lt. Keizer chose the United States Army Air Force over other wartime options offered himat RCA and Naval Research, both of which listed him among the top handful of U.S. graduates his Senior year. He put himself at risk in doing so, and that risk was further compounded by a switch with another officer who became ill on the voyage to Leyte Island in the Philippines. Instead of receiving the communications aboard ship, LeRoy was assigned to the shore party. There, in a supposedly cleared area, he and his men set up camp on the only partly-dry, slight hump of land left near some Army artillery and infantry encampments. Another officer shared the tent with him, and became a wheelchair-bound survivor as a result of paralyzing stab wounds to his back, but was able to personally relate to LeRoys father the manner of his death. Leroy Warren Keizer was laid to rest in Hawarden, IAs Grace Hill Cemetery February 11, 1945, at the right side of his fathers chosen burial plot. Gerben Keizer Jr. joined him there in 1970. In 1998 Amy Keizer was returned to earth at the left side of her husband. LeRoys marker is a white stone like so many other military white grave markers in Grace Hill. It is a well-cut, clean stone and a bright, sun-lit onejust like his life.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is LeRoy Warren Keizer's memorial?
LeRoy Warren Keizer's memorial is located at: Grace Hill Cemetery, Hawarden, Sioux County, USA.
When did LeRoy Warren Keizer death?
LeRoy Warren Keizer death on 6 Dec 1944 in Philippines
Where are the coordinates of the LeRoy Warren Keizer's memorial?
Latitude: 43.0052986
Longitude: -96.4708023

Family Members:

Parent

Gerben Keizer

(1892 - 1970)

Amy Darville Keizer

(1896 - 1998)

Siblings

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Grace Hill Cemetery
Hawarden, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0052986, -96.4708023

2. Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0261002, -96.5453033

3. Erickson Cemetery
Alcester, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0113983, -96.5886002

4. Highland Cemetery
Highland Park, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0546989, -96.3510971

5. Old Big Springs Cemetery
Big Springs, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9455986, -96.5868988

6. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Alcester, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0266991, -96.6192017

7. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Ireton, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9681015, -96.3143997

8. Big Springs Cemetery
Big Springs, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9379000, -96.6090000

9. Lebanon Christian Church Cemetery
Sioux Center, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0996700, -96.3578300

10. Nathanael Cemetery
Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0971985, -96.5888977

11. Eden Cemetery
Hudson, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1343994, -96.4692001

12. Peace Lutheran Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9805984, -96.6481018

13. Union Hill German Baptist Cemetery
Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9169006, -96.3324966

14. Mount Hope Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8885994, -96.5667038

15. Union Creek Cemetery
Union County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8911018, -96.5863037

16. Saint Johns Cemetery
Craig, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8939018, -96.3225021

17. Peace Lutheran Cemetery
Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0989494, -96.2924118

18. Trinity Lutheran Cemetery South
Hudson, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1530560, -96.5691670

19. Saint John Lutheran Cemetery
Ireton, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9585991, -96.2550201

20. Trinity Lutheran Cemetery North
Hudson, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1567001, -96.5681000

21. Gothland Cemetery
Beresford, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0764008, -96.6877975

22. Riverside Cemetery
Akron, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8367004, -96.5453033

23. Saint Johns Lutheran Church Cemetery
Ruble, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8372000, -96.3799000

24. Lands Lutheran Cemetery
Hudson, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1559700, -96.6096900