Career
He was one of 11 American pilots who flew with Royal Air Force Fighter Command between 10 July and 31 October 1940, thereby qualifying for the Battle of Britain clasp to the 1939-1945 campaign star. Born in Brooklyn, New York around 1912, the son Charles and Constance Theresa Keough. He had earned a civil pilot"s licence in America and was also a professional parachute jumper with over 500 jumps, performing at air shows across America.
Keogh was the smallest pilot in the whole of the Royal Air Force, hence the nickname, and was just 4"10" (approx 147m) tall.
He had to use two cushions in his Spitfire to see out of the cockpit. On 8 August 1940 Keogh was posted to Number.
609 Squadron Royal Air Force at Middle Wallop airfield. He flew many missions during the height of the Battle of Britain in August and September.
He was credited with one shared "kill": Dornier Do 17 bomber shot down on 15 September with Pilot Officer Mike Appleby and Flight lieutenant John Dundas.
71 "Eagle" Squadron along with Art Donahue, Andrew Mamedoff and Eugene Tobin. Death
On 15 February 1941, Keogh was on a convoy-protection mission off Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire. During the chase of a Heinkel He 111, he was last seen spinning off into the sea.
He may have been a victim of disorientation in cloud or oxygen failure.
He was 29 years old. His body was not recovered, but he is remembered on the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede.