Albert Keppler, a resident of Grand Island, enlisted in the Marine Corps as a rifleman in 1950. On August 27, 1952, he was assigned as a corporal to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, E Company. He was killed by enemy small arms fire while fighting at Bunker Hill, where the battle was fierce and 93 U.S. military members lost their lives. For his brave acts on that day, and for his prior service, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, N.Y.