Golden Gate National Cemetery
  C-379 

Born:  January 22, 1918 at Ralston, WA

Entered Service in the US Navy from Washington

Earned The Medal of Honor During World War II For heroism November 12 & 13, 1942 at Iron Bottom Sound, Savo Island, Solomon Islands

Boatswain's Mate First Class Keppler was serving aboard the U.S.S. San Francisco during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands, during the naval battle off the coast of Guadalcanal. When a hostile torpedo plane, during a daylight air raid, crashed on the after machine-gun platform, Keppler promptly assisted in removal of the dead and, by his capable supervision of the wounded, undoubtedly helped save the lives of several shipmates who otherwise might have perished. That night, when the ship's hangar was set afire during the great battle off Savo Island, he bravely led a hose into the starboard side of the stricken area and there, without assistance and despite frequent hits from terrific enemy bombardment, eventually brought the fire under control. Later, although mortally wounded, he labored valiantly in the midst of bursting shells, persistently directing fire-fighting operations and administering to wounded personnel until he finally collapsed from loss of blood.