James J. Keating

James Joseph Keating (April 20, 1895 – December 18, 1978) was a United States Marine Corps officer with the rank of brigadier general, who is most noted as commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines during the Battle of Guadalcanal and later as officer in charge of the Intelligence Section, Headquarters Marine Corps.

Early years

Keating was born on April 20, 1895, in Castroville, California, and, after attending of school in Boston, he enrolled at Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1917. He subsequently enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 19, 1917. Keating rose to the rank of sergeant and was decorated with the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal for his enlisted service. He attended Officer Candidates School at Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia, and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve on July 15, 1918.

His next assignment was with 1st Marine Regiment, with which he sailed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Keating was stationed at Cuba for four months and returned to United States in March 1919. He received an honorable discharge in April 1919 and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant.

He participated with the regiment in subsequent maneuvers and was appointed commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment in January 1942. Promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in May 1942, Keating sailed for the South Pacific in June of that year. He led his battalion during the Guadalcanal Campaign and also took part in Battle of Edson's Ridge, where his 105mm howitzers supported other marines forces. Keating was later decorated with the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for his heroic achievement during operations against Japanese forces and also with the Navy Presidential Unit Citation.

Colonel Keating was transferred back to the United States in October 1944 and assigned to Intelligence Section within Headquarters Marine Corps. He was first appointed Section executive officer and later succeeded Colonel Edmond J. Buckley as section director in December 1944. Keating remained in this capacity until December 1945.

Decorations Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General James J. Keating: