Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-staff on August 7, 2026, to honor Technician Fifth Grade William P. Keele, a World War II soldier whose remains were recently identified and returned home decades after he made the ultimate sacrifice.
The governor proclaimed August 7 as a day of remembrance for Keele, recognizing his service, courage, and dedication to the United States during one of the nation’s most difficult periods. The order directs that both the United States flag and the Arkansas state flag be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset as a sign of respect for his life and sacrifice.
William P. Keele was born on December 5, 1917, and answered the call to serve his country during World War II on September 30, 1940. He served as a Technician, Fifth Grade, with the 33rd Quartermaster Truck Regiment, Philippine Department, where officials said he demonstrated commitment and bravery while carrying out his military duties.
In the spring of 1942, Keele was captured by Japanese forces following the fall of American and Allied positions in the Philippines. He became one of thousands of American and Filipino prisoners subjected to the infamous Bataan Death March, a 65-mile forced march under brutal conditions.
After surviving the march, Keele was held as a prisoner of war at Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp. He died there on July 16, 1942, giving his life in service to his country.
For decades, Keele’s final resting place remained unknown. In April 2019, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency exhumed unidentified remains from Cabanatuan and began the process of identifying the American prisoners who had been buried there. Through those efforts, officials were able to identify the remains of Technician Fifth Grade William P. Keele.
After more than 80 years, Keele’s remains were returned to Fort Smith, Arkansas, on August 4, 2026. His homecoming allowed his family, fellow Arkansans, and military representatives to honor a soldier whose service had long awaited recognition.
Keele will be laid to rest with full military honors on August 7, 2026. The ceremony will mark the final chapter in a journey that began during World War II and continued through decades of efforts to recover and identify missing service members.
In the proclamation honoring Keele, Governor Sanders called on Arkansans to remember his sacrifice and reflect on the cost of the freedoms enjoyed today.
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, Governor of the State of Arkansas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim August 7th, 2026, as a day of remembrance for Technician Fifth Grade, William P. Keele, inviting all Arkansans to honor his legacy and reflect upon the cost of freedom he so bravely bore. I further order that the United States flag and the state flag of Arkansas be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on August 7th, 2026, as a mark of respect for Technician Fifth Grade, William P. Keele service, sacrifice, and devotion.”
The governor’s proclamation serves as a statewide tribute to a soldier who endured extraordinary hardship and whose dedication to duty remained recognized long after his death.
The order was formally issued on July 31, 2026, with the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas affixed as an official acknowledgment of Keele’s service.
As flags are lowered on August 7, Arkansas residents are being encouraged to remember Technician Fifth Grade William P. Keele and the thousands of service members who sacrificed their lives during times of war to protect the nation.
