Mc Kesson, Keith

Description

Keith McKesson was born on February 12, 1916, in Manhattan, New York, to Catherine Mindres VanBuren Lawrence, age 28, and Donald McKesson, age 34. In Rye his family lived on Manursing Island.

Keith served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Rye Lieuts. at Camp Barkeley
1st Lieut. Keith McKesson, 28, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald McKesson, Manursing Island, and 1st Lieut. Rocco M. Romano, 28, of 60 Purchase Street, are taking a six-week course in the School for Medical Administrative Corps Officers at the Army Service Forces Center, Camp Barkeley, Texas. They are training to become battalion surgeons assistants.
PAGE FOUR THE RYE CHRONICLE Friday, June 23, 1944

After his state side training, overseas he served with the 12th Armored Division, 134th Ordinance Maintenance Battalion, Battalion Headquarters in the European Theatre.

The 12th Armored Division (“Hellcats”) was a United States Army armored division that served in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. It was active from September 1942 until its deactivation in December 1945.
Key Facts
Nicknames: Officially the “Hellcat” Division, the German Army also called them the “Suicide Division” due to their fierce defensive actions during Operation Nordwind. They were nicknamed the “Mystery Division” when their insignia was removed for security during a period under General George S. Patton’s Third Army command.
Campaigns: The division fought in the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns.

The 134th Ordnance Maintenance Battalion was a U.S. Army unit that served during World War II, primarily as part of the 12th Armored Division. The battalion was responsible for the maintenance and recovery of ordnance and equipment, such as tanks and vehicles, for the division

Keith was honorably discharged in December 1945 and he was appointed director of the NY Quinine & Chemical Works, Inc in January 1946.

He married Carla Marie Plump on October 17, 1963, in Fairfield, Connecticut. He was very active in real-estate in the Greenwich and Hartford areas of Connecticut. In Rye he was a member of the Manursing Island club and had a love for sailing.

Keith McKesson died on January 28, 2004, in Monterey, California, at the age of 87.