Why Nebraska Flags Were Lowered
As a mark of respect for WWII airman Robert A. Keuchel.
When the Nebraska Half-Staff Order Began and Ended
Use the exact end boundary above. A flag may return to full-staff at sunset, noon, a stated clock time, or another named event. If the end is not confirmed, open the source before acting.
Where the Nebraska Half-Staff Order Applied
Facilities and locations specified in the official notice
- Facilities
- State
- U.S. flag
- Affected
- State flag
- Not stated
- Private display
- Not stated
What This Half-Staff Order Means for Flag Owners
Follow the Locations Named in This Order
An order can cover federal property, all state facilities, one building, or another named place. Do not expand a limited order beyond the stored scope.
Return Flags to Full-Staff at the Stated Time
Use the end date and boundary above. Before raising the flag, confirm that a newer federal or state half-staff order has not taken effect.
Check for a Newer Half-Staff Order
This detail page preserves one directive. It does not make an old order current, so use today’s status page for the latest operational answer.
Official Source and Evidence for This Half-Staff Order
<span>Flags to Fly at Half-Staff on May 15 Honoring Omaha Native Robert Keuchel, Killed in WWII</span> <div class="field field--name-published-at field--type-published-at field--label-hidden field--item"><time datetime="2026-05-12T15:50:53-05:00" title="Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - 15:50">May 12, 2026</time> </div> <span><span>jim</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-05-12T15:50:28-05:00" title="Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - 15:50">Tue, 05/12/2026 - 15:50</time> </span> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;"><strong>CONTACT:</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;">Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;"><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p class="text-align-center"><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;"><strong>Flags to Fly at Half-Staff on May 15 Honoring Omaha Native Robert Keuchel, Killed in WWII</strong></span></span></p> <p class="text-align-center"> </p> <p><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;"><strong>LINCOLN, NE</strong> – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff on Friday, May 15, to honor WWII airman Robert A. Keuchel. The remains of Staff Sergeant Keuchel were found and ultimately identified last year by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;">Born in Omaha in 1923, Keuchel was killed on March 22, 1945. He and fellow crewmembers were aboard a B-17G Flying Fortress conducting a bombing run. While flying over Poland, the aircraft was hit and damaged during an enemy attack, and the airmen were forced to bail out. Of 10 crew members, eight were killed due to enemy fire while they were attempting to parachute to the ground. Keuchel was among them.</span></span></p> <p><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;">Attempts to find his remains were unsuccessful until a series of excavations were conducted at the crash site between 2019 and 2024. In July 2025 the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that his remains had been identified.</span></span></p> <p><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;">An interment will take place at Omaha National Cemetery at 10 a.m. on May 15. Flags should be flown until sunset that day.</span></span></p> </div>
The linked government page remains the authoritative version.
Nebraska Half-Staff Order Questions
Is the Death of WWII airman Robert Keuchel order still active?
This record is marked ended. Its stored effective period begins May 15, 2026 and ends May 15, 2026. Check the current status page before changing a flag.
Does this Nebraska half-staff order apply to homes and businesses?
Only if the notice says so. Government orders usually direct named public facilities and may separately invite private citizens, businesses, and organizations to participate. Check “Private display” in the scope above and read the source when it is not stated.
Which flags and locations did this order cover?
Use the scope cards above. They separate the facility type, geographic area, U.S. flag, state flag, and private-display guidance retained from the notice.
Where can I verify this half-staff order?
Use the official-source link on this page. The government notice remains authoritative if it differs from this normalized record.