Lawrence David Peters

The database page for Lawrence David Peters

19 Apr 2008 He and I grew up together ... we were friends and fellow Boy Scouts. From a friend. E-Mail will be forwarded by the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org 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 LT Vincent R. Capodanno, Honolulu, HI (Medal of Honor) HN James C. O'Reilly, Brighton, MA 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

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend. E-Mail may be forwarded via the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 19 Apr 2008
Last updated 04/26/2008