Keith Royal Reeves was born on October 14, 1898 in Columbus, KS. He was still in high school at the time of his enlistment into the U.S.M.C. on December 15, 1917. Reeves was one of the first men to enlist from Columbus. He was then sent to Atlanta, GA and from there to Parris Island, where he was placed with the 69th CO of Marines during basic training. In February he was sent to Quantico VA and placed with the 138th Replacement BN. He then sailed overseas to Europe on or about March 1st. He was then made a member of the 74th CO of the 6th Marine Regiment. The 74th CO, 1st BN, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, arrived in Brest, France on March 27, 1918. The 74th CO trained with 2d Bat at Camplitte March 30th to April 19th. In major operations on the border of the Verdun Sector April 20th to May 11th and this was there first time in the trenches. The 74th was in Chateau-Thierry, Belleau Wood Sector from June 1st to July 5th Reeves was one of the twelve who came out of the battle without a wound. The 74th also participated in the Aisne-Marne offensive July 18th, the Pont-a-Mousson offensive August 1st-11th, and the St. Miehel Offensive on September 12th-16th. Keith Reeves died on October 6th, 1918 at Base Hospital No. 45 in Toul, France from pneumonia caused by being gassed during combat. He was decorated twice, once for service and once for bravery. His remains arrived in the U.S. on May 17th and then sent to his family in Columbus. Keith Reeves was laid to rest in the Columbus City Cemetery on June 20th, 1921. He was survived by his parents, sister and grandparents. Another name for our post was proposed, however it was decided to name the post after the first man who died in WWI from Columbus, KS which was Keith Reeves.

Lt. William F. Kurtz who went to Topeka, KS on Sunday June 15th, 1919 to attend a meeting with the executive committee to present the application for charter for the Columbus men and was given charter number one.

Keith Reeves Post No. was actually Post No. 1,it was the first post organized in Cherokee County and according to William F. Kurtz who aided in the charter of our Post, in June 1919 it was the first in the State of Kansas. On May 9th, 1920, the state executive commitee took notice of the confusion of the several posts in the state callin themselves No. 1. The following dispatch tells the story: "Emporia, KS, May 9th: Capital Post No.1, Topeka will be known as Legion Post No. 1, according to a decision made by the state executive committee of the Legion in session here this afternooon. Newton Post will be No. 2, Columbus No. 3, Wichita No. 4, Atchison No. 5,and Horton No.7. This ends a controversy as to numbers existing since last year...the datesfor the state convention at Pittsburg were set for August 23rd, 24th, and 25th." All information taken from History of Keith Reeves Post No. 3 Volume No.1 1919-1960 Columbus, KS. Written by Rueben E. Cooper