Lawrence D. Peters

He led his troops forward despite repeated wounds under fire

Lawrence David Peters was born in Johnson City, New York, on 16 September 1946. He joined the Marine Corps Reserve while still at high school in 1963, graduated in 1964 and completed recruit and infantry training. In January 1966 he transferred to the regular Marine Corps. That May he went to Vietnam, serving with the 3rd Marines and later in combined-action assignments with Vietnamese communities. Promoted to sergeant in September 1966, he joined the 5th Marines in July 1967.

Lawrence D. Peters served as a Marine sergeant and squad leader in Company M, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On 4 September 1967, during Operation Swift in Quang Tin Province, Vietnam, intense enemy fire struck his unit. He led his squad toward a defended knoll and exposed himself to identify enemy positions. Wounded repeatedly, he continued directing fire and encouraging the Marines. He stood to force infiltrating troops to reveal their concealed positions and maintained command until he lost consciousness and died. His posthumous Medal of Honor recognized leadership that renewed his squad’s attack.

His death ended his military service twelve days before his twenty-first birthday. Vice President Spiro Agnew presented the Medal of Honor to his family at the White House on 20 April 1970. He is buried in Chenango Valley Cemetery in Binghamton, New York.

Medal of Honor 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. During Operation Swift, the marines of the 2d Platoon of Company M were struck by intense mortar, machine-gun, and small-arms fire from an entrenched enemy force. As the company rallied its forces, Sgt. Peters maneuvered his squad in an assault on an 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, Sgt. Peters stood erect in the full view of the enemy firing burst after burst forcing them to disclose their camouflaged positions. Sgt. Peters steadfastly continued to direct his squad in spite of two additional wounds and 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, Sgt. Peters upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.