Nathaniel Harrison Keezell

MAJOR NATHANIEL HARRISON KEEZELL, JR.
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron: CS-09
Years of Service: 24
Highest Rank: Major (O-4)

Major Nathaniel Harrison Keezell, Jr. was born and raised in Harrisonburg, Virginia, a town steeped in his family's deep regional heritage. Standing out among his peers for his sharp intellect and passion for aviation and technology, he earned an appointment to the newly established United States Air Force Academy. Arriving at the temporary campus as a member of the historic Class of 1959—the Academy's very first graduating class—Keezell was assigned to Cadet Squadron 9 (CS-09), where he helped lay the foundational traditions of the cadet wing before graduating and receiving his commission in the summer of 1959.

ADVANCED STUDIES & EARLY COLD WAR SPACE SYSTEMS
Following graduation, Keezell's analytical aptitude was quickly leveraged by the Air Force, sending him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). There, he pursued advanced postgraduate studies, earning a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1961. Armed with cutting-edge engineering training, he was assigned to the Space Systems Division (SSD) in Los Angeles, California. From 1961 to 1963, he served as a Project Officer during the critical early years of the American space program, directly contributing to the development of early military satellite and booster technologies.

OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA & PROJECT BLIND BAT
Keezell transitioned to operational flying duties as an Air Force Navigator, joining the 965th Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Squadron at McClellan Air Force Base, California. Flying aboard specialized electronic reconnaissance aircraft, he soon deployed directly to the escalating conflict in Southeast Asia. Between 1965 and 1967, he served as a Navigator on Project College Eye (often denoted as ProjCollDye), operating out of Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South Vietnam, as well as Ubon and Udorn Air Bases in Thailand. These dangerous, high-stakes airborne radar missions provided critical command-and-control support to tactical aircraft over Vietnam.

His operational expertise deepened from 1968 to 1971 when he served as a Navigator for the legendary Project Blind Bat out of Ubon Air Base, Thailand, while assigned to the 35th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Naha Air Base, Okinawa. Operating in modified C-130 Hercules aircraft, the Blind Bat crews flew perilous night flare-dropping and forward air control missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail to illuminate enemy supply lines under heavy anti-aircraft fire. For his bravery and exceptional navigation skills during these intensive combat operations, Major Keezell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and earned a staggering 12 Air Medals.

ACQUISITION, TESTING, & LATER CAREER

Returning to the United States, Major Keezell blended his combat navigation experience with his advanced engineering background. He transitioned into systems acquisition and testing, serving as the Chief of the Test Analyst Branch at the Air Force Plant Representative Office (AFPRO) at the Lockheed facility in Marietta, Georgia, from 1971 to 1973. He followed this with a tour at the Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, managing Navigation Avionics Subsystems.

He completed his operational career returning to the cockpit of the C-130E as a Flight Commander and Navigator with the 41st Tactical Airlift Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. After 24 years of dedicated service to the defense of his nation, Major Keezell retired from active duty.

LEGACY
Major Keezell settled down in Marietta, Georgia, close to where he had previously served his country. He passed away from medical causes on November 7, 1993, in Marietta, leaving behind a profound legacy as a pioneer of the first Air Force Academy class and a highly decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War. He is remembered by his classmates and family for his technical brilliance, quiet leadership, and steadfast devotion to the Long Blue Line.

EDUCATION

Year Degree / Institution
1959 Bachelor of Science – United States Air Force Academy
1961 Master of Science in Aeronautics & Astronautics – MIT
1980 Post-graduate Studies in MS&EAA (Aero & Astro) – MIT

MEDALS AND AWARDS

• Distinguished Flying Cross (1)
• Meritorious Service Medal (1)
• Air Medal (12)
• Air Force Commendation Medal (1)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS
Years Duty / Role Location
1961 Post-graduate Studies MIT, Massachusetts
1961–1963 Project Officer Space Systems Division (SSD), Los Angeles, CA
1963–1968 Navigator 965th AEW&C Squadron, McClellan AFB, CA
1965–1967 Navigator, Project College Eye Tan Son Nhut, South Vietnam / Ubon & Udorn, Thailand
1968–1971 Navigator, Project Blind Bat Ubon Air Base, Thailand / 35th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Naha AB, Okinawa
1971–1973 Chief, Test Analyst Branch AFPRO Lockheed, Marietta, GA
1973–1974 Navigation Avionics Subsystems Manager Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1975 Flight Commander / Navigator, C-130E 41st Tactical Airlift Squadron, Pope AFB, NC