THE STORY OF CHARLES KEATING IV
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Charles Keating IV, 16 years old at the time, decided that he wanted to become a Navy SEAL and serve his country. Almost 15 years later, on March 4, 2016, he was in Syria with his comrades from SEAL Team ONE during Operation Inherent Resolve when their outpost was attacked by more than 100 IS fighters.
Under constant fire from small arms, RPGs and mortars, Keating ran from position to position to coordinate both the American and the Kurdish forces. He then led an assault element against an explosives-laden vehicle (VBIED) that was trying to flank the outpost.
On May 3, 2016, the Islamic State launched a major attack with several car bombs near the town of Tesqopa, which until then had been considered safe. The US answered with 31 airstrikes that killed 58 terrorists. That day, Keating IV was part of a 20-man QRF sent behind enemy lines to rescue trapped US advisers. During the heavy firefight the SEALs eventually ran out of ammunition and Keating’s machine gun malfunctioned, so he ran back to a nearby vehicle to get a new weapon and more ammunition. He picked up a sniper rifle, climbed onto a building and went back to fighting the enemy. That was when he was hit in the unprotected side of his plate carrier. He was flown out by helicopter, and when he reached the hospital he was pronounced dead.
His comrades left a letter for his parents: “Please tell everyone that Charles saved a lot of lives today. Our partner forces ran, but the Navy SEALs held the line. Charles led the fight, the way he always did. When he left us, he had that same unmistakable laugh on his face. He was full of warmth and at the same time a fierce warrior who killed dozens of the enemy to save his brothers. Long live the brotherhood.”
For his actions, Charles Keating IV first received the Silver Star and then, posthumously, the Navy Cross.
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