The BALLAD OF WOODY KEEBLE is a Woohiye Wocekiye or Prayer for Victory, Waktehdi Odowan or Victory Song, a Waktohdaka or Kill Talk for a Warrior recounting exploits of a warrior that were witnessed by others and Wokiksuye Odowan or Memorial Song for Mato Sapa (Black Bear). lt's a Nasdohan or Dragging the Foot Dance.
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Keeble led an incredible life. Though he lived in the 20th Century, his exploits in war made him the most decorated soldier in the history of North Dakota. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor by every man who was with him as he fearlessly battled the North Koreans and Chinese near the 38th Parallel.
Russell Hawkins was recently interviewed about his late stepfather, Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Keeble: "Alone, Woody was able to get into the trenches with the enemy soldiers and eliminated two trenches' worth. From there, he worked his way to the right of the enemy and took out the first bunker with a grenade. He retreated back to his first line of defense, crossed to his extreme left and took out the second bunker with a grenade. Then he went back to the third bunker with a grenade and subdued the rest of the enemy with his rifle. Woody was hit in the chest, both arms, right calf, knee, right thigh and left thigh. One eyewitness said he saw the chest bullet come out of his back." Doreen Yellow Bird, Grand Forks Herald, February 25, 2007.
Woody had tremendous courage, fortitude and determination which he demonstrated during his days at Guadalcanal in World War II when he helped hold the line fighting hand to hand with the Japanese to hold on to the strategic Henderson Field airstrip. Then, somehow, the written nominations for Woody Keeble or Buffalo, his true family name, to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor were lost twice. This is unimaginable. America should revere and honor the bravest of the brave and Woody Keeble earned that recognition.
This Mato Tanka Productions recording was made at Mato Tanka Studios, located on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in McLaughlin, South Dakota by Steve Emery and Belva Hollow Horn-Emery, Bobby Eagle and his wife Pat Eagle. The microphone used on this recording was used by Steve's Grandfather, James E. Emery (Pankeska Hoksila White Shell Boy) to record Wasu Maza or lron Hail who was later known as Chief Dewey Beard, in March 1954. Chief Dewey Beard was the last living survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn (June 25, 1876) and the Wounded Knee Massacre (December 29, 1890). Jim Emery, a World War II Navy veteran, had the first Lakota owned and operated recording studio from 1946 until May 1977. Mato Tanka Productions is 100% Lakota owned and operated!
Ballad of Woody Keeble by Steve Emery © 3/2/2007 and Bobby Eagle © 3/2/2007
MATO TANKA PRODUCTIONS, Box 757, McLaughlin, SD 57642-0757
Recorded by Bobby Eagle and Steve Emery; Mixed by Steve Emery
Vocals by Steve Emery, Bobby Eagle, Pat Eagle and Belva Hollow Horn-Emery
Guitar, Bass and Hand Drum by Steve Emery; Deer Rattles by Pat Eagle and Belva Hollow Horn-Emery
Produced by Steve Emery for Mato Tanka Productions
Photo of Woodrow "Woody" Wilson Keeble courtesy of Russell Hawkins, Woody's son.
- uploaded via http://www.mp32u.net/
Loading...
9:09
Woodrow Keeble's Medal of Honorby tpcfan754 views
Link to this comment:
All Comments (2)