Nov. 13, 2016

U.S. Army career soldier and VFW Post Commander Keith G. Mosure died at 82.

Sergeant First Class Keith G. Mosure spent 20 years in the intelligence branch of the U.S. Army during some of the most dangerous times in our nation’s history. He served in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star for courage and composure under fire during fierce combat in the 1968 Tet Offensive.

Mr. Mosure, with his wife Pattie at his bedside, passed away Nov. 13 at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale/Montrose following a recent stroke.

Fresh out of high school, Mr. Mosure joined the U.S. Army at the age of 20. It was at a time in the mid 1950s when the U.S. was engaged in the Cold War against the Soviet Union. As an intelligence expert, Mr. Mosure often found himself listening to enemy communications in grueling assignments lasting endless hours. Many of these assignments took him to the Far East, with years spent in the Philippines, Japan and Thailand.

Following retirement from the Army Mr. Mosure began working at the Automobile Club of Southern California, becoming a top insurance agent during his time there. He also joined Crescenta Valley Post 1614 of the VFW, rising to the position of post commander.

Devoted to his family and a staunch friend to many “Mo,” as he was known to almost everybody, was an accomplished joke-teller and raconteur. One such story he spoke of was during his tour of combat in South Vietnam. He came under sustained rocket and small arms fire so he took cover in a building. The shelling became so intense an air-conditioning unit dislodged above him and fell right on his head. Told later he was going to be nominated for a Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat, “Mo” put a stop to it. He said he would have been too embarrassed to accept an award for getting decked by an air conditioner.

In addition to his wife and two daughters Mr. Mosure is survived by his son-in-law Franco. His other son-in-law, Darren, passed away in 2009.

Survivors also include three grandsons – Ryan, Daniel and Patrick – and one granddaughter, Carina.

A memorial service for Mr. Mosure will be held at Crippen Mortuary, 2900 Honolulu Ave. in La Crescenta on Friday, Nov. 25 at noon.

Funeral directors: Crippen Mortuary