MAJOR GENERAL
RALPH S. KEYSER, USMC (DECEASED) 

 

Major General Ralph Stover Keyser, a distinguished marksman, who participated in world matches, was born on 10 May 1883 at Thoroughfare, Virginia. He was appointed a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 29 March 1905, and was promoted through the various grades until he was placed on the retired list as brigadier general on 1 February 1937. On 1 April 1941, he was recalled to active duty, serving until October 1942, when he returned to retirement status in the rank of major general.  

He was captain of the Rifle team in 1922, and of the team which participated in the world matches at Stockholm, Sweden, in 1929.

 

During World War I, he commanded a battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment, and also served as Assistant Chief of Staff, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in charge of the Department of Intelligence. He participated in the battles of Chateau-Thierry Sector, the occupation of the Marbache Sector, the offensive in St. Mihiel, the battle of Blanc Mont Ridge and the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

 

In 1924-1925, while in command of the Marine Detachment at the American Embassy at Managua, Nicaraguan, he drafted plans for a Nicaraguan Constabulary, which proposals were adopted by the State Department with the personal commendation of Secretary of State, the Honorable Charles Evans Hughes.

 

Major General Keyser died at the Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland in 19 April 1955. A few highlights of his shooting record are as follows: He was executive office of the Rifle Range at Wakefield, Massachusetts in 1909 1n 1910; a member of the first place regimental Marine Corps team at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 1911; member of United Service match which won first place at Camp Perry in 1911; qualified as distinguished marksman, 1911; was range officer at Winthrop, Maryland, 1915; coach of Marine Corps team, Jacksonville, Florida, 1915; Commanding Officer of Rifle Range at Quantico, Virginia, 1917; and team captain of the rifle team in 1922.

 

Assistant Commandants of the Marine Corps