Horace Keller was born on April 30, 1924 and resided in Marshallton, Pennsylvania, a small community west of West Chester. He was the youngest of three children. Horace attended West Chester High School and after school, obtained employment at the Esco Cabinet Company.  

Horace was inducted into the Army on March 7, 1944.  After basic training he was shipped overseas in August. 

Private Horace J. Keller was Killed In Action on November 16, 1944. On Wednesday December 6, 1944 his parents received a telegram from the War Department that Horace was missing. On December 19th, they received a second telegram that he was Killed In Action.* Horace was buried at a local military cemetery. He was returned to the US for burial in his home country in 1948. A memorial service was held at the Hick’s Funeral Home and interment at the Bradford Cemetery in Marshallton on September 11, 1948.

*Note: According to the West Bradford Township, Pennsyvlania website, the parents of hero William McAllister were notified of the loss of their son on the same day as Horace Keller.  Also on that day, the parents of another Chester County soldier, Cheston Hall, were notified that their son had been shot down and taken prisoner. 

Credits

Research by Don Wambold, WCMSC