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<p><em>Keith Earl Herrington</em> was born on September 13, 1952 to Kenneth and Martha Herrington in Oakland, CA. Raised in Napa, CA, he graduated from Napa Valley Unified High School in 1970 and Napa Valley Community College in 1972. Keith then enlisted in the Army and was recommended by his commander to apply to the USMA Preparatory School in 1973. At USMAPS, he gained the respect of his peers and cadre. One classmate described him as “fun, gregarious, smart, and outgoing.” In Bravo Company, Keith was a key member of the post’s shooting teams. His quick wit and eagerness to support his cadet candidate peers made him a great roommate and friend. I had the good fortune to be invited to his home in Napa between Prep School and USMA during the summer of 1974. Keith was close with his parents, who were supportive of his endeavors.</p>
<p>In Beast Barracks, Keith was nicknamed “Sarge” by his squadmates out of respect for his experience and his ability to coach others in spit shining shoes, polishing brass, making a perfect bed, and lending a hand to anyone in need. After Beast, Keith went to A-4 and continued to make friends and help others during his plebe and yearling years. When the Corps was scrambled for our cow and firstie years, he transferred to D-3. Keith was older than most of his classmates at West Point but never acted aloof or superior in any fashion. His quiet, confident leadership exuded a level of mutual respect that we held in high regard. So many classmates have relayed this common theme of how Keith helped them through Beast Barracks or encouraged them not to give up throughout our four-year journey. I personally would not have completed plebe year without Keith’s assistance and encouragement. Going through three family death emergency leaves that year, I would always return way behind in academics. Every time I returned, Keith would come to my room on weekends with a stack of textbooks under his arm and that contagious smile on his face and help me to catch up with my math and science courses.</p>
<p>Keith continued to demonstrate his expertise as an expert marksman and was as a key member of USMA’s Pistol Team. In his firstie year, the team beat Navy in an undefeated season and qualified four All-Americans, led by team captain and classmate Pat McGaugh. Pat had a deep respect for Keith as a teammate during their four years together. Keith’s Howitzer dedication said he “…broke into the Academy at a full gallop and hasn’t stopped since. With pistol in hand, he proceeded to shoot at everything in sight. With the attributes of self-determination and loyalty to his friends, Keith will go a long way for sure. Look out world, here he comes!” It would be no surprise that Keith’s passion for marksmanship would later lead to him earning the NRA’s “Distinguished Revolver Designation” and the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s “Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge.”</p>
<p>Upon graduation, Keith was commissioned in the Military Intelligence (MI) branch. (Our class was the first permitted to enter MI directly upon graduation.) Keith’s first duty assignment was with the 902d MI Group at Fort Meade, MD. I believe he was our only classmate to serve in the lush Pacific Ocean assignment of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshal Islands. “All six square miles of it,” as he would say. He served in the military through the rank of major and continued his career as a senior intelligence officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency. Keith distinguished himself at DIA in many ways, including being named the agency’s representative to the Senate Arms Committee for the 9/11 Commission Report and receiving two Defense Intelligence Director’s Awards for extraordinary duty performance. He continued to serve in the intelligence field with CACI International in technology for national security. I used to joke with him that I could rest better each night with him keeping our country safer.</p>
<p>Keith and his wife, Pamela, and their children lived on the East Coast, in both Maryland and Virginia, and we managed to continue to stay in touch and visit each other. I have some photos of his family’s visit to see us in New Mexico some years back. During his visit, Keith still had the same smile, warm heart, and quick humor that he had when I first met him in 1973. Our phone calls in between visits were lighthearted, and I could always see him smiling through the phone lines. </p>
<p>Shortly before Keith passed away, he had left me a phone message which I did not get until weeks later since I was overseas in China. As soon as I got Stateside, I left him a message to call. We never got that chance to talk again, as Pamela informed me of his death (August 14, 2019) shortly after that. Keith’s friendship meant so much to me and numerous classmates. I recently spent time with classmates from across the country, including many prep school classmates. They all expressed their feelings of loss and collectively recalled Keith as a true friend and classmate who cared for others and they had appreciated his assistance and encouragement. </p>
<p>Collectively, our thoughts and prayers from the class are extended to his wife, Pam, his children and loved ones. Keith would have wanted me to relay a message to the class to stay close and to support and encourage each other throughout our time. You are missed my brother!</p>
<p><em>— Kevin M. Jackson, Pamela Herrington, and classmates</em></p>
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