VA HR424

Lieutenant General William Morgan Keys, USMC (Ret.), served 34 years in the United States Marine Corps, graduating from the Naval Academy in 1960 and retiring in 1994 as commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force

Earned the Navy Cross and Silver Star for heroism during the Vietnam War while commanding Company D, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, including actions during Operation Prairie II in March 1967

Led the Second Marine Division during Operation Desert Storm, successfully breaching Iraqi barriers and minefields to help liberate Kuwait City

After military retirement, served as president and CEO of Colt's Manufacturing Company, negotiating a sole-source government contract for the M4 carbine and guiding development of the M45A1 pistol

Virginia House of Delegates resolution honors his life following his death on January 24, 2026, with a copy to be presented to his family