William P. Keenan, 1940

3/3/2023

Our Omega Mu brothers who served in the military are cherished and constant fraternal friends, and we would like to say thank you for the steadfast, purposeful commitment you made to our nation to defend those four freedoms we all believe in: “Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.” For those brothers who were killed in defense of these freedoms, they will always occupy a consecrated place in our linked fraternal heart because they exemplify the idea of superlative commitment, strength, and fortitude for the good to the end itself. The greatness of their collective purpose and will, on our nation’s behalf, will never be forgotten. By their “clear-eyed faith and fearless heart,” these brothers have left us a fraternal legacy that echoes what we often say about Omega Mu Fijis: “Perseverance and determination are omnipotent.” Their code of integrity, courage, duty, responsibility, and self-sacrifice on behalf of our nation is a powerful legacy that we will always be proud of as Omega Mu Fijis.

Whether it was at New Orleans, Red River, Fort Blakely, Marianna, San Juan Hill, Santiago de Cuba, Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, El Guettar, Elba, Monte Della Vedetta, the Battle of the Bulge, Rabaul, Inchon, Pusan, Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill, Hue, Easter Offensive, Phu Cat, The Iron Triangle, Hamburger Hill, la Drang Valley, Bien Hoa, Khe Sanh, Rumaila, Al-Batin, Medina Ridge, Kabul, Kandahar, our Omega Mu brothers have demonstrated devotion to duty in defense of freedom and liberty. They are the stability of our nation, and we, the Omega Mu brotherhood, revere, honor, and salute their persevering and determined spirit within our great nation and our historic brotherhood. We will always honor the heroism of all of our brothers who have served in the armed forces from the Civil War to the present. Thank you.

Omega Mu Veteran
William P. Keenan,
1940

Omega Mu Years

1939 Snow Sculpture

1940 Snow Sculpture

World War II

William P. Keenan was an officer in the 26th Yankee Division during World War II.

Korean War

William P. Keenan was a captain in the Army during the Korean War, serving in 5th Infantry Regiment Combat Team. During the largest single battle during the Korean War, when the Chinese attacked with 27 divisions, 250, 000 mean, Lieutenant Keenan was rallying his men in an attempt to escape entrapment by the Chinese Army on April 23, 1951, ten miles north of the 38th parallel near Tosong-Kogae, but he was captured and taken to Pyok-tong prisoner of war camp, camp #5. For his actions he earned the Silver Star. William was subsequently used by the Chinese in radio broadcasts. He was the third liberated Fiji POW during the Korean War.

Prisoner of War

William P. Keenan was a
Prisoner of War at
Camp #5,
Pyoktong, North Korea

Pictures taken inside Pyok-tong

Prisoners receiving mail.

Prisoners forced to listen to political propaganda.

"I went from 195 pounds down to 100. Malnutrition and dysentery were prime factors that caused so many deaths. Food was scarce and medical treatment practically nil. Those of us who lived were very fortunate indeed. It's even hard now to realize that is's all over and are finally free. Throughout my imprisonment, I was always on the lookout for another Fiji."

"Capt. William P. Keenan of Portland, Me., one of the last prisoners to be released by the Communist in Korea."

"Mrs. Keenan stated that during the nearly three years he was held a prisoner, she received five letters from him.
Despite this she never gave up hope."

“What if the space be long and wide,
That parts us from our brother’s side
A soul-joined chain unites our band,
And memory links us hand in hand.”
(Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)