This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sgt Ryan Mahana (Alcatraz)
to remember
Marine 1stLt Robert Louis Keister.
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Contact Info
Home Town White River
Last Address 120 W. Pueblo Santa Barbara, Calif
MIA Date Nov 01, 1943
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Papua New Guinea
Location of Memorial Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
VMF-215 arrived on Espiritu Santo on July 1, 1943, and by the end of the month was taking part in fighter sweeps against Japanese bases in the northern Solomon Islands. On August 14, an F4U Corsair from VMF-215 was the first plane to arrive at the newly captured Munda airfield where they immediately began operating to cover the landings on Vella Lavella. Shortly thereafter the squadron pulled back to the rear for rest and relaxation. The squadronâ??s second combat tour began while they were based at Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella. From there they covered the landings at Empress Augusta Bay on Bougainville, which began on November 1, 1943.
KEISTER, Robert L, 1STLT, O-022377, USMC, from Indiana, location Solomon Islands, date of loss November 1, 1943 + KEISTER, Robert L., 1st Lieutenant, USMC. Wife, Mrs. Robert L. Keister, 120 W. Pueblo, Santa Barbara, Calif + KEISTER, Robert Louis, 22377, VMF215, MAG14, 1stMAW, FMF, Solomon Is, November 2, 1944, killed in action + KEISTER, Robert Louis, First Lieutenant, O-022377, USMC, from Indiana, Manila American Cemetery
1stLt Robert Louis Keister, pilot, was declared Missing in Action on 1 Nov 1943.
Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps that was activated and fought during World War II. Known as "The Fighting Corsairs", they fought in many areas of the Pacific War, including the Battle of Bougainville. During their four-and-a-half month tour, the squadron was credited with shooting down 137 enemy aircraft, fourth most in Marine Corps aviation history.
Following the surrender of Japan, the squadron was deactivated on November 13, 1946 . The squadron was reactivated in the Marine Forces Reserve and was based out of Naval Air Station Olathe, Kansas until its deactivation on January 30, 1970.
