Bernell Eugene Keller was born on 12 January 1922 in Brashear, Adair County, Missouri. He was the son of Theodore Keller and Edith Marie Miller Keller. He was married to Catherine Ellen Phillips Keller.

Bernell attended and graduated from Brashear High School. He served in the 703rd Bomber Squadron, 445th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Mechanic/Gunner on the B-24 #42-110029 during World War II. On 1 April 1944, at 0600H, his crew took off from airfield Station 124 in Tibenham, England, on a mission to bomb the chemical industry at Ludwigshafen, Germany. At around 1:30 PM, their plane was shot down by flak, and they managed to evacuate the airplane. All members survived. Of the ten members, five were taken as prisoners, and 5 evaded the enemy capture. Their plane crashed near Laon, France.

Stuebgen, Ninebling, and Lawrence were brought from Laon by Bob Pique. Stuebgen and Ninebling were placed with M Proment of Chauny until D-Day when they were moved to stay with M Cadiffet in Ugny-le-Gay. On 10 June, they were moved to stay with Mme Megret, where they remained until liberation. Lawrence stayed with M Blondel at Annois and then on D-Day, was moved to stay with Raymond Coutte. On 17 June, he was moved to stay with Mme Yve Halloit (widow) in Jussy until liberation. Keller was placed with M Chauvin in Coucy-le-Chateau from 20 April to D-Day when he joined Neil Howard and John Harms on M Gregoire's farm at Commencon. On 11 June, he was moved to stay with M Terny of Very-Noureuil where he remained until liberation.

Bernell died at the age of 89 on 27 November 2011 at Boone Hospital in Columbia, MO. He is now buried in the Highland Park Cemetery, Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri, USA.

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.findagrave.com, www.conscript-heroes.com