Charles Keating IV | |
|---|---|
 Keating when he was aSpecial Warfare Operator, 1st Class | |
| Nickname(s) |
|
| Born | (1985-02-26)February 26, 1985 Phoenix, Arizona |
| Died | May 3, 2016(2016-05-03) (aged 31) Tesqopa, Iraq |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 2007–2016 |
| Rank | Chief Petty Officer (Rating:Special Warfare Operator) |
| Unit | |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | |
| Spouse(s) | Brooke Clark |
| Relations |
|
| Website | c4foundation |
Charles Humphrey Keating IV (February 26, 1985 – May 3, 2016) was aUnited States Navy SEAL sniper who was killed in action againstISIS forces north ofMosul, Iraq, in 2016. He was posthumously awarded theSilver Star, which was later upgraded to theNavy Cross.[1] Keating was the third U.S. military servicemember to be killed in action in Iraq duringOperation Inherent Resolve.
Keating—whose father and grandfather were convicted for their actions in thesavings and loan crisis in the late 1980s—competed in track and field during high school and college but left a promising career to become a Navy SEAL; he was one of the best runners in hisBUD/S class. He later trained to be a sniper and deployed three times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan.
Keating was awarded theBronze Star Medal with"V" device for saving an Arabic interpreter in combat and the U.S. military's second-highest award for combat valor, the Navy Cross, for his actions in combat against more than 100 ISIS fighters; he exposed himself to enemy fire multiple times and led partner forces to repel an attack. He continued to train partner forces in the region until he was killed in combat during a separate engagement two months later. After his death, his family helped start the C4 Foundation, which helps Navy SEALs and their families recover from stress.
Keating was born on February 26, 1985, inPhoenix, Arizona, and was one of six children ofCharles Keating III. Despite a long family history of competitive swimming, he chose to run track and became captain of the track team his last two years atArcadia High School.[2] During his last three years at Arcadia High, Keating was the champion in the 1,600-meter run and also earned city and state honors as a senior.[3]
Keating is the grandson of bankerCharles Keating Jr.,[4] whoseLincoln Savings and Loan Association failed and cost the U.S. government $3 billion during thesavings and loan crisis. TheKeating Five scandal took place when five U.S. senators were accused of improperly interfering on Keating Jr.'s behalf; Keating Jr. was later convicted of fraud, racketeering and conspiracy, for which he spent four and half years in prison. Keating III was convicted as a co-conspirator with the elder Keating on fraud and conspiracy charges but remained free on bail and ultimately had charges dropped.[5][6] Other students at school made fun of Charles Keating IV for his family's past, but he stated that he did not care about the scandal.[4][7]
In February 2001, Keating appeared on theDiscovery Kids programOutward Bound. The show followed Keating and 7 other teens for three weeks facing the challenges of traveling through a rain forest in Costa Rica. The group paddled about 40 miles a day, rappelled down canyon walls, slept under makeshift tents, helped out local villages and lived only on rice, beans and eggs. Keating also celebrated his 16th birthday during the filming of the show.[8]
He graduated from Arcadia High in 2004 and went on to major in business atIndiana University Bloomington, where his father and uncle had also attended, on a track scholarship.Navy SEAL astronautWilliam Shepherd also graduated from Arcadia High and was assigned to SEAL Team 1, to which Keating would later be assigned. While at Indiana, he won one of the indoor open mile events with a time of 4:16.[3] Even though Keating had a very promising track and field career, he left college after two years to become a Navy SEAL, which was something he had wanted to do since a young age.[2][9]
In addition to having a family history in competitive sports, Keating also had some military service family history. His great-grandfather had served duringWorld War I, his grandfather was anaval aviator duringWorld War II, his great-uncle served in the Navy during World War II, and his younger brother Billy also became an enlisted SEAL.[3][2][10] Keating followed in his grandfather's and his great uncle's footsteps by enlisting in the Navy in February 2007 and graduatedBasic Underwater Demolition-SEAL training with class 266 in June 2008. He was one of only 14 graduates out of a total of 300 candidates that started his BUD/S class.[11] During BUD/S, he drew attention to himself by having impressive run times.[3] After graduating BUD/S, Keating completed parachute jump school and SEAL Qualification Training (SQT)[12] and was assigned to SEAL Team 3, where he trained to be a lead breacher and sniper. While there, Keating became good friends with fellow SEALEli Crane. Crane was later selected to be one of three SEALs that would notify Keating's family in case of his death.[3][2]
While assigned to SEAL Team 3, Keating completed two deployments to Iraq in 2008 and 2010 and one to Afghanistan in 2012.[11] In July 2013, he was assigned to Naval Special Warfare Training Detachment One, where he became responsible for training all West Coast-based snipers as a Sniper/Reconnaissance Cell Leading Petty Officer. In February 2015, Keating became a platoon leading petty officer at SEAL Team 1 and later deployed in support ofOperation Inherent Resolve in Iraq as a Senior Enlisted Advisor.[13][2]
According to teammates, Keating repeatedly put his own life in danger in combat to protect others.[14] During one deployment, he was awarded theBronze Star Medal with"V" device for saving anArabic interpreter in combat.[11] Before his fourth deployment, he secretly married his fiancé, Brooke Clark. They were planning to marry that November, but Keating wanted to protect her in case anything happened to him.[15][16]
On May 3, 2016, Keating was part of aQuick Reaction Force (QRF) that was on standby to help Peshmerga forces and a small U.S. advise-and-assist SEAL team if they came came under attack.[2] The U.S. advise-and-assist team consisted of less than a dozen U.S. troops and were about two miles from the front lines near the town ofTesqopa. The advise-and-assist team and U.S. surveillance were both unaware that a surprise attack by about 125ISIS fighters, about 20technical vehicles and at least one bulldozer were heading their way.[17] ISIS fighters broke through Peshmerga front lines around 7:30 a.m., and about 20 minutes later, the U.S. team was engaged in combat. The team then requested their Quick Reaction Force around this time.[18]
The QRF arrived, and the firefight continued for about two more hours. Keating went to retrieve his.300 Winchester Magnum sniper rifle from a coalition vehicle nearby and then went up to a rooftop to reengage the enemy.[19] Around 9:32 a.m., he was hit by direct enemy fire. His SEAL teammates got him off the roof and he wasMEDEVACED to a hospital inErbil within the hour, but his wound was fatal. No other U.S. or coalition forces were wounded; however, both MEDEVAC helicopters were hit by enemy small arms fire. Early reports claimed that Keating was hit by enemy sniper fire, but this has not been confirmed.[20][18][17]
The battle continued long after U.S. forces were extracted; eventually, air assets arrived. Coalition air forces attacked withF-15s,F-16s,B-52s,A-10s and two drones. There were 31 air strikes by manned aircraft and two by drone. Coalition air forces destroyed about 20 vehicles, two truck bombs, three mortars, and one bulldozer and eliminated 58 ISIS fighters. The battle lasted about 14 hours, ending around 9:30 p.m.; after, the Peshmerga regained control of Tesqopa. The battle was the heaviest fighting between coalition forces and ISIS since around December of the year before, and there were an unknown number of Peshmerga casualties.[18][21]
Keating was the third U.S. military servicemember to be killed in action in Iraq duringOperation Inherent Resolve.[22][23][24]
On May 10, Keating was posthumously awarded theSilver Star—later upgraded to a Navy Cross—by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.[11] He was also awarded aPurple Heart for his death on May 3.[25][15]
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: Global War on Terror
SERVICE: United States Navy
PLACE AND DATE: Iraq, March 4 - May 3, 2016
CITATION: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Charles Humphrey Keating, IV, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 4 March 2016, while serving as Senior Enlisted Advisor, Trident 1125A, SEAL Team 1 in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Chief Petty Officer Keating's courageous leadership, tactical acumen, and physical courage were the key factors in defeating an assault on friendly lines by more than 100 enemy fighters. After directing partner nation troops in repelling the enemy's initial incursion, he coordinated with the immediate reaction force and continued engaging enemy fighters. He continually exposed himself to enemy automatic weapon, mortar, and rocket propelled grenade fire as he diligently maneuvered between the front and flanks of the defensive fighting position to stop enemy advances and keep friendly forces accurately informed of the unfolding situation. When the enemy attempted to flank his position with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, Chief Petty Officer Keating led a team to intercept and neutralize the threat with precise sniper and rocket fire. His personal bravery inspired his comrades to vigorously defend their position and repel the enemy assault. He continued to train partner forces until mortally wounded by enemy fire during a combat engagement on 3 May 2016. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Chief Petty Officer Keating reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[26]
The governor of Arizona,Doug Ducey, said in a statement regarding Keating, "Our state and nation are in mourning today over the loss of a U.S. serviceman — and one of America's finest." Ducey also ordered all flags in Arizona to be flown athalf-staff on May 4.[27]John McCain,Meghan McCain and Navy Lt. Jack McCain all gave the Keating family their sympathy. John McCain had known the Keating family for many years and made a statement on Keating's death: "Like so many brave Americans who came before him, Charlie sacrificed his life in honorable service to our nation for a cause greater than self-interest, which we can never truly repay."[7]Defense SecretaryAsh Carter acknowledged Keating's actions and called him a hero.[28][29]
.jpg)
Keating's remains were flown toDover Air Force Base, and his family was present for a private transfer-of-remains ceremony before his remains were sent toSan Diego for his funeral.[30] On May 12, 2016, over 1,000 people came to Keating's public memorial ceremony at Tidelands Park inCoronado, California. The city invited the public to line the streets during the funeral procession which went through Coronado the next day and ended atFort Rosecrans National Cemetery where Keating was buried.[31][13] Before his funeral, Keating was posthumously promoted tochief petty officer, since he had passed the tests to do so before his final deployment.[32][33][34] AMass was also held for Keating byCardinalTimothy M. Dolan atSt. Patrick's Cathedral inNew York City.[2] PresidentBarack Obama mentioned Keating in a speech onMemorial Day atArlington National Cemetery: "One of Keating's platoon mates sent his parents a letter from Iraq: 'Please tell everyone Chuck saved a lot of lives today,' it said. He left us, 'with that big signature smile on his handsome face, as always. Chuck was full of aloha, but was also a ferocious warrior.'"[35][36][37][38]
On January 13, 2017,Secretary of the NavyRay Mabus awarded 8Silver Stars and 8Navy Crosses to current, former and deceased members ofNaval Special Warfare during a medal upgrade ceremony atVirginia Beach, Virginia. Keating'sSilver Star was upgraded to theNavy Cross and was presented to his family. The medal upgrades were a result of a branchwide review of over 300 valor medals awarded during theGlobal War on Terror.[11][39]
The C4 Foundation was founded in 2019 and is named after Keating. The foundation owns and operates a 560-acre (230 ha) ranch located 45 miles (72 km) east ofSan Diego in the Mesa Grande area.[40] The foundation and ranch are dedicated to helping SEALs recover from their high stress jobs.[41]Charles Keating III currently serves as the foundation's president and Brooke Clark (Keating's widow) is formerly the vice president.Navy SEALMedal of Honor recipientsEdward Byers andBritt K. Slabinski serve on the board of directors and the advisory board respectively.Scott P. Moore and Keating's brother William are also on the advisory board.Professional skateboarderRodney Mullen serves on the scientific advisory board.[42] In a series of social media posts onMemorial Day 2019, former Navy SEALDan Crenshaw honored several fallen special operations members including Keating.[43]
.jpg)
Chief Petty Officer Keating received the following awards:[15]
 | |||
 | |||
  |  |   | |
 |  |   | |
 |  |  | |
 |  |  | |
.svg) |  |  | |
 | |||
| Badge | Special Warfare insignia | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Row | Navy Cross | |||||
| 2nd Row | Bronze Star with"V" device | Purple Heart | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 Gold5/16-inch stars | |||
| 3rd Row | Army Achievement Medal | Combat Action Ribbon with 1 Gold5/16-inch star | Navy Good Conduct Medal with 1 Bronze3/16-inch star | |||
| 4th Row | National Defense Service Medal | Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze3/16-inch star | Iraq Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze3/16-inch stars | |||
| 5th Row | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Sea Service Ribbon with 2 Bronze3/16-inch stars | |||
| 6th Row | NATO Medal | Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal withexpert device | Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal withexpert device | |||
| Badge | Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia | |||||
.jpg)
.jpg)
