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COL (Ret) Edgar Keltner
Colonel Keltner is honored for his dedication and service to the Corps of Cadets during his tenures with the Military Science Department of North Texas Agricultural College. Colonel Keltner was born on 7 March 1893 in Manor, Texas. He graduated from Allen Academy, Bryan, Texas in 1912. He attended the University of Texas at Austin where he lettered in varsity baseball in 1916 and 1917. He left the university in 1917 to enroll in the first Officer Training camp at Leon Springs, Texas. In August of 1917, upon completion of training, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry as a Reserve Officer and entered on active duty.
During his long and illustrious military career, he served in a multitude of assignments around the world. Noteworthy though are the assignments as Professor of Military Science and Tactics with the Fort Worth High School System from 1926-1928; Professor of Military Science and Tactics at North Texas Agricultural College from 1928-1932; and with the ROTC program at The University of Dayton, Dayton Ohio, from 1935-1939.
In 1941, Colonel Keltner was serving as the Chief of Staff of the 91st Philippine Army Division when Japan entered World War II. Colonel Keltner was captured along the other survivors of Bataan and Corrigador. He survived the infamous Bataan death march and for the duration of World War II was a prisoner of the war of the Japanese. His fellow prisoner and close friend was General Jonathan Wainwright.
Following the end of the war and his release as a POW, Colonel Keltner requested and was granted assignment as the Professor of Military Science and Tactics at North Texas Agricultural College. He proudly served in the position from 1946-1952. Colonel Keltner retired from active duty on 28 February 1953 after over 35 years of service.
Colonel Keltner’s career was marked by many worthwhile achievements and devotion to serving his country. During his tours with the Military Science Department at North Texas Agricultural College and under his leadership he did much to enhance the ROTC program and bring credit and recognition to the Corps of Cadets.
Colonel Keltner’s awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, this nation’s second highest award for valor; the Silver Star; Legion of Merit; Presidential Citation with two clusters; and the Republic of Philippines Presidential Citation.
Colonel Keltner’s performance while assigned to North Texas Agricultural College and his achievements during his long and colorful military career brought great credit and recognition upon himself, the Corps of Cadets, and the University of Texas at Arlington.