Bailey Keeton

Sgt. Bailey Keeton, Jr., age 20 at the time he was declared Missing in Action (MIA), was a member of the United States Army, Company D, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was listed, on December 2, 1950, as Missing in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea.
In a battle zone in North Korea known as the Chosin Reservoir, Sgt. Keeton's Company was brutally attacked by an overwhelming number of Chinese forces. He was presumed dead and listed as Killed in Action (KIA) on December 31, 1953. Sgt. Keeton's remains were recovered in a Joint Recovery Operation in 2004, and, after 66 years, will finally be coming home to Oneida, TN. His flight is scheduled to arrive at McGhee-Tyson Airport in Alcoa, TN, Thursday, June 23, 2016.
Sgt. Keeton was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Born April 21, 1930, Sgt. Keeton was the son of the late Bailey Keeton, Sr., and Elsie Simpson Keeton. He is survived by four siblings: Violet Davis of Riverdale, GA, Doris Jean Thompson of Monticello, GA, Ronald "Ron" Keeton and fiancAC. Barbara Fuller of Helenwood, TN, and Arnold Keeton and wife Bonnie of Knox, IN. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Friends may visit with the Keeton Family on Saturday, June 25, 2016, from 10:30 a.m. until time of funeral service at 12:30 p.m. in the Chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home in Oneida, TN with Bro. Arnold Keeton officiating. Music will be provided by The Shepherd's Way Quartet.
Graveside service will be held at the Hazel Valley Memorial Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. with full military honors provided by the U. S. Army Honor Guard from Fort Campbell, KY.