Lawrence David Peters
Sergeant
2ND PLT, M CO, 3RD BN, 5TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Binghamton, New York
September 16, 1946 to September 04, 1967
LAWRENCE D PETERS is on the Wall at Panel 25E, Line 108

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Lawrence D Peters
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Lawrence D Peters

SGT LAWRENCE DAVID PETERS


Lawrence D Peters

SGT LAWRENCE DAVID PETERS


Lawrence D Peters

SGT LAWRENCE DAVID PETERS


Lawrence D Peters

SGT LAWRENCE DAVID PETERS

 
19 Apr 2008

He and I grew up together ... we were friends and fellow Boy Scouts.

From a friend.
E-mail address is not available.
The President of the United States
in the name of the Congress of the United States takes pride in presenting the

MEDAL OF HONOR

posthumously to

LAWRENCE DAVID PETERS
Sergeant
United States Marine Corps

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader with Company M, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines. During Operation SWIFT, the Marines of the 2d Platoon of Company M were struck by intense mortar, machinegun, and small arms fire from an entrenched enemy force. As the company rallied its forces, Sergeant Peters maneuvered his squad in an assault on any enemy defended knoll. Disregarding his safety, as enemy rounds hit all about him, he stood in the open, pointing out enemy positions until he was painfully wounded in the leg. Disregarding his wound, he moved forward and continued to lead his men. As the enemy fire increased in accuracy and volume, his squad lost its momentum and was temporarily pinned down. Exposing himself to devastating enemy fire, he consolidated his position to render more effective fire. While directing the base of fire, he was wounded a second time in the face and neck from an exploding mortar round. As the enemy attempted to infiltrate the position of an adjacent platoon, Sergeant Peters stood erect in the full view of the enemy firing burst after burst forcing them to disclose their camouflaged positions. Sergeant Peters steadfastly continued to direct his squad in spite of 2 additional wounds, persisted in his efforts to encourage and supervise his men until he lost consciousness and succumbed. Inspired by his selfless actions, the squad regained fire superiority and once again carried the assault to the enemy. By his outstanding valor, indomitable fighting spirit and tenacious determination in the face of overwhelming odds, Sergeant Peters upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.


 

A Note from The Virtual Wall

The 5th Marines' After Action Report for Operation SWIFT contains the following explanation of how the operation opened:

As noted, Delta 1/5 Marines bore the brunt of the initial North Vietnamese attack; the insertion of additional Marine forces as the day progressed could do little to alleviate their situation. Mike and Kilo 3/5, moving into position from their landing zones to the northwest, encountered NVA blocking forces; Mike 3/5 fought a sharp engagement at Chau Lam (1), about 2 kilometers east of the Delta 1/5 engagement at Dong Son (1). By the time fighting petered out after nightfall, 53 Marines and sailors had died. Thirty-six of the US dead were from 1st Bn, 5th Marines:

  • Bravo Company, 1/5 - 8 KIA
  • Delta Company, 1/5 - 21 KIA
  • H&S Company, 1/5 - 7 KIA
The 3/5 Marines lost 17 men:
  • H&S Company, 3/5
  • M Company, 3/5
    • Sgt Lawrence D. Peters, Binghamton, NY (Medal of Honor)
    • HM3 Armando G. Leal, San Antonio, TX (Navy Cross)
    • LCpl Jack A. Berry, Lubbock, TX
    • LCpl Steven T. Cornell, New York, NY
    • LCpl Thomas W. Fisher, Allentown, PA (Navy Cross)
    • LCpl Andrew M. Giordano, Smithtown, NY (Silver Star)
    • LCpl Richard Guerrero, Corpus Christi, TX
    • LCpl Albert W. Santos, Fall River, MA
    • Pfc Dennis F. Fisher, Alta Loma, CA
    • Pfc Tony E. Gabaldon, Reedley, CA
    • Pfc Raymond G. Hengels, Downers Grove, IL
    • Pfc Charles F. Martin, Littleton, CO
    • Pfc James C. McKenzie, Yorba Linda, CA
    • Pfc Gene A. Mortensen, Salt Lake City, UT
    • Pfc Steven J. Wright, Norco, CA

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