Dick Jr., his father remembers, was 21 years old in 1967 and things had progressed well for him during his tour in the navy up to that fateful day in June. He had completed two cruises to Africa and was on his third. Chances are, this would be his last and he would be transferred to shore duty to fulfill his enlistment obligation. His fiancee and his Mom were preparing wedding invitations when the ill fated news came over the radio.
Dick Keene, Jr. was killed along with 33 other shipmates, his father said, because the crew was abandoned by their country and the treacherous actions of Israel has never been fully explained.
Finally, Richard Keene, Sr. said, I regret that my son and the others had to be part of one of the most outrageous, treacherous days in United States history.
