KEY-EUGENE

Eugene Morland Key was born October 5, 1916, in Conroe, Texas.  On January 17, 1941, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve as a Private.  Upon completion of officer training at Quantico, Virginia, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on May 29, 1941, following which he served with the Marine Corps public relations staff in San Diego and Washington, D.C.  When he requested a combat assignment he was reassigned to the First Marine Raider Battalion on March 19, 1942.  Following promotion to First Lieutenant on June 4, he participated in the amphibious invasion on August 7, 1942, of Tulagi Island, Solomons.  While leading an attack on a heavily defended enemy position he was hit by hostile sniper fire, and although mortally wounded he continued attacking the Japanese position.  He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions.  His ashes have been interred at the City Cemetery in Bryan, Texas.  He was survived by his parents and three siblings.  In his honor, the destroyer escort USS Key (DE-348) was launched on February 12, 1944.  During World War II it participated in operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans before being deactivated in July 1946 and was awarded one battle star.

NAVY  CROSS  CITATION

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Eugene Morland Key (MCSN: 0-7597), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the First Marine Raider Battalion, during the landing assault and seizure of enemy Japanese-held Tulagi Island, British Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942.  When his platoon was attacked from the flank by a group of hostile snipers, First Lieutenant Key, although mortally wounded, worked his way forward until he could throw hand grenades into the enemy position.  By his indomitable fighting spirit and outstanding skill, he destroyed Japanese resistance at this point and enabled his platoon to advance without further loss.  His great personal valor was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.  He gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.

                           

                                                  USS  KEY  (DE-348)

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)