Biography No. 2

Band Sergeant David Carlton Keene

A band sergeant with the 156th Depot Brigade at Camp Jackson, who later became one of the few motorcycle police officers in 1930s Hillsborough County.

Photograph of David Carlton Keene — David Carlton Keene

Rank: Band Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: 156th Depot Brigade
Conflict: World War I
Born: 9 October 1894 · Callahan, Florida
Died: 29 March 1951
Gravesite: Row F · Plot 14

Band Sergeant David Carlton Keene was born on October 9th, 1894 in the town of Callahan, Florida. As a teenager, he worked odd jobs, earning a wage for his family. In 1916, he worked as an oiler, aboard different ships, possibly as a merchant marine or a sailor in the Navy. Taking a brief break in his maritime career, in 1918, Sergeant Keene moved to Desoto, where he enlisted into the Army on June 6th.

He moved up to Camp Jackson in South Carolina as a member of the 156 Depot Brigade for training. During his service, Sergeant Keene became a band sergeant. At this time, a band sergeant would have been responsible for leading marches and orchestrating morale boosting performances. This job was nothing short of essential during world war 1, and it reflects Sergeant Keene’s creative ability to provide service.

He then married a Thelma Adderman in 1919 on valentines day, just 10 days before he was discharged. Sergeant Keene went on to have 2 children: Sergeant Owen Meyer Keene, and Grace Louise Keene. After his service, he would continue his work in the maritime industry aboard the SS. Seminole, where he worked as an oiler.

In the year 1930, Sergeant Keene lived here in Hillsborough County, and continued serving his community in unique ways by becoming what I can only imagine to be one of the only motorcycle cops in the year 1930. This occupation of his was also a dangerous one. In fact, he was intentionally hit by a car in 1940, which resulted in the amputation of his leg. Inspired by his fathers service, Sergeant Owen Meyer Keene, his son, entered into the Armed Forces in time to fight during the second world war.

The incredible bravery of his father as both a world war 1 veteran and a police officer likely contributed to his decision to join the service. Unfortunately, Sergeant Owen M. Keene was sent to the Pacific, where some of the most brutal fighting occurred. It was here that Sergeant Owen M.

Keene made the ultimate sacrifice, when he was shot down over the Philippines. The influence of an inspirational father, such as Sergeant David Keene, cannot be understated, and it is important to remember that a legacy of sacrifice inspires generations to come to serve their country. Sergeant David Keene passed away in 1951, here in Hillsborough County, after a life dedicated to finding unique ways to serve his community. His family members remember him fondly, recalling affectionate stories of his courage.

Record note: Headstone application records 4 REGT FARD.

Researcher's Note

Sergeant David Keene has an undoubtedly incredible story. However, there are some confusing aspects that we came across during our research, specifically with the branch he served in. One would expect this to be the easiest thing to find out, however as researchers, we are at the mercy of the documents we have access to and the personal accounts of those that knew him in life. The documents we had access to, specifically Sergeant Keene’s World War 1 Induction Form, confirmed 100% that Sergeant Keene served in the U.S. Army.

In addition, his rank as a “Band Sergeant” is considered uniquely a term used in the US Army. He trained at Camp Jackson in the 156 Depot Brigade which also is related to the Army. However, pictures exist of Sergeant Keene in a navy uniform, from the SS Seminole, which appears to have been a civilian ship. Additionally, an Application for Seaman’s Protection Certificate does confirm that Sergeant Keene spent time in the maritime industry from the period of 1916 to at least 1920. This means that Sergeant Keene could have possibly been a merchant marine or a navy sailor aboard a civilian ship.

However, no enlistment or discharge records exist for him as a Navy Sailor. To further complicate matters, Family members (seen through annotations on images and in comments on his ancestry page) remember Sergeant Keene as belonging to the navy. For this reason, It cannot be confirmed that Sergeant Keene was in the Navy, due to the lack of documentary evidence other than a photo of him in a uniform that resembles a period U.S. Navy Uniform, I cannot confirm whether or not Sergeant Keene served in the Navy or the Merchant Marines. It can be confirmed that he did serve in the Army, and while he did certainly work in the maritime industry there is a significant lack of evidence pointing to his service in the Navy.

If I had to guess, I would assume that Sergeant Keene worked aboard the SS Seminole as a sailor in the Navy before or after joining the Army. It seems more likely because the Application for Seaman’s Protection Certificate does state that he intended to work aboard the SS Seminole in the year 1920. This is also confusing however because Sergeant Keene has a discharge date listed on his headstone application in 1919. This photo of Sergeant Keene could be explained in many different ways, and at the end of the day, we may never know about Sergeant Keene’s time in the maritime industry, either as a civilian or a sailor in the Navy. Thus, the Bio stands as is.