Thomas E. Creek

He saved five other Marines from a grenade during an ambush.

Thomas Elbert Creek earned the Medal of Honor near Cam Lo, South Vietnam, on February 13, 1969. A lance corporal in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, he was providing convoy security when a mine and enemy fire halted the vehicles.

He grew up in Amarillo, Texas, and attended Palo Duro High School. He enlisted in January 1968, completed recruit and infantry training in California, and arrived in Vietnam that July. He initially served with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines, before transferring to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines in September. He became a lance corporal in November.

Creek was seriously wounded while moving to a better firing position. When a grenade landed near him and several companions, he rolled onto it, sacrificing his life. His citation credits the action with saving five Marines, and the convoy continued its mission after the enemy was defeated.

Born in Joplin, Missouri, on April 7, 1950, Creek received the medal posthumously. It was presented to his family on April 20, 1970. He is buried at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas.

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 rifleman with Company I in action against enemy forces. L/Cpl. Creek's squad was providing security for a convoy moving to resupply the Vandergrift Command Base when an enemy command-detonated mine destroyed one of the vehicles and halted the convoy near the Cam Lo Resettlement Village. Almost immediately, the marines came under a heavy volume of hostile mortar fire followed by intense small-arms fire from a well-concealed enemy force. As his squad deployed to engage the enemy, L/Cpl. Creek quickly moved to a fighting position and aggressively engaged in the firefight. Observing a position from which he could more effectively deliver fire against the hostile forces, he completely disregarded his own safety as he fearlessly dashed across the fire-swept terrain and was seriously wounded by enemy fire. At the same time, an enemy grenade was thrown into the gully where he had fallen, landing between him and several companions. Fully realizing the inevitable results of his action, L/Cpl. Creek rolled on the grenade and absorbed the full force of the explosion with his body, thereby saving the lives of five of his fellow marines. As a result of his heroic action, his men were inspired to such aggressive action that the enemy was defeated and the convoy was able to continue its vital mission. L/Cpl. Creek's indomitable courage inspired the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.