Saratoga Standard

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake) today inducted Korean War combat veteran Paul O’Keefe of Mechanicville into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the State Capitol in Albany, NY.

“Paul O’Keefe is truly a ‘Veterans Veteran’ who is beloved in the Capital Region veterans community for his heroic service during the Korean War and all he continues to do as an advocate for veterans and chaplain at many veterans events and ceremonies. Paul is a great patriot in every sense of the word and very deserving of being recognized for his sacrifice and service to our state and nation by being inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

Private First-Class Paul O’Keefe was drafted into the U.S. Army, attended Basic Training at Camp Atterbury in Indiana, and later was stationed in Japan and Busan, Korea, where he served for seven months at the onset of the Korean War. While in Korea, O’Keefe served with the 24th Infantry Division (known as the Victory Division) as one of the first U.S. troops called to South Korea to fight alongside Republic of Korea (R.O.K.) troops.

At the start of the war, despite being outnumbered, the 24th Infantry Division and R.O.K. troops managed to delay North Korean forces from advancing. The division continued holding off North Korean invaders under overwhelming odds, allowing United Nations forces time to build up defenses for South Korea. The 24th Division suffered significant casualties with 3,735 Americans killed and 7,395 wounded during the conflict.

Following his military service, O’Keefe worked at General Electric Silicones as a lab technician until retiring after 33 years. He was married to Marie Cavotta O’Keefe and has four children, eight grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.

O'Keefe currently serves as Chaplain and active member of American Legion Post 91. He frequently represents Korean War veterans at community events throughout the Capital Region and serves as Chaplain for Saratoga County Board of Supervisors' monthly “Honor Our Deceased Veterans” program.

For 65 years, O'Keefe has been a firefighter with Hemstreet Park Fire Department in Mechanicville where he also served as Chaplain. He speaks regularly to school groups about veterans' service and community involvement. As President of Albany Chapter Muscular Dystrophy Association, he raised thousands by pushing a wheelbarrow from Mechanicville City Hall to Albany City Hall three times.