By Jim Newell
Review Writer
It’s been more than 73 years since Harold Keener died during World War II while serving aboard the American gunboat the USS Plymouth PG-57, but on Friday the Navy presented his son, Donald Keener, with a long overdue recognition of Harold’s sacrifice to his country.
Navy Commander James Semerad presented Donald with his father’s Purple Heart, awarded to military personal (or their families) who have been wounded, killed or died after being wounded in service to the United States.
“This means an awful lot to him,” said Don Keener, Donald’s son. “I’m sure this is going to be a topic of conversation for a while.”
Veterans from American Legion Post 233 and VFW Post 334, as well as members of the Sons of the American Legion, attended the ceremony at the Orion Veterans Memorial to pay their respect to the family and the fallen.
The entire event was a surprise to Donald Keener, 85, of Lake Orion. He was just a young boy when Harold died, said Don Keener, adding that the family wanted to get him to the Veterans Memorial without him suspecting their intent.
“I told him we were buying a house on Lake Orion,” Don Keener said. When they stopped at the Memorial, Don told his parents they were meeting the real estate agent there and that she had a big suburban to transport them all. “But I knew telling them we were buying a house would get them out here. I told so many whoppers today.”
Harold Keener was born in Waynesburg, Virginia in 1904. He served in the Navy, achieving Seaman First Class ranking.
In 1943, 120 miles off the coast of Virginia, an enemy submarine torpedoed the Plymouth: 95 of the 179 sailors on board perished in the attack. Harold died Aug. 5, 1943 at the age of 38.
“It’s been such a missing component in his life. There’s always been something that wasn’t there. His mother never really talked about him (Harold) that much. So, it was a grandfather I never knew, that I wished I had,” Don said.
Keener is memorialized in the East Coast Memorial in New York, NY.
Over the years, Donald has been trying to find out more about Harold, but faces the challenge of modern technology.
Gay Harris, a friend of the family and member of Honor Flight in Florida, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing veterans with honor and closure, began tracking down information on Harold.
Harris started her investigation making calls and gathering information on Harold. She then discovered that Harold had earned a Purple Heart, but that the family had never received it.
In August, Harris got word that the Navy would award Harold’s family the Purple Heart, and the plans were set in motion for the ceremony.
“Harold was just a young boy (when his  father was killed). He never got to know his dad. This is something he can treasure all his life,” Harris said.

The Keeners have had several family members serve in the military over the years. Currently, Don’s daughter, Jordan is in logistics in the U.S. Airforce stationed in England, while his son, Alex, is also in the Air Force and is stationed in Texas training in fire prevention. Both are graduates of Lockland
The Purple Heart had undergone several transformations over its course, said Dr. Joe Mastromatteo, army veteran and chairmen of the Orion Veteran’s Memorial Board. The modern incarnation resurfaced in 1932 when Secretary of State Douglass MacArthur reintroduced the award.