YOUNGEST Soldier from Texas to Receive the Medal of Honor - Amarillo, TX
N 35° 10.933 W 101° 49.625
14S E 242561 N 3896912
A sign at the grave site of Medal of Award recipient, Marine Lance Corporal Thomas E. Creek, indicates that he is the youngest soldier in Texas history to receive the Medal of Honor.
Waymark Code: WMPAQE
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 07/30/2015
Views: 4
The sign continues with another superlative, indicating that he is also the only Medal of Honor recipient from Amarillo, TX. Hopefully, it is a long time before this situation changes. Lance Corporal Creek is buried in historic Llano Cemetery, and the sign is just feet from his grave. It is red, with white lettering and blue trim, and it says:
Thomas E. Creek
1950-1969
U.S.M.C.
Medal of Honor Recipient
The highest award an American can earn in combat.
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.
Lance Corporal Creek is the youngest soldier in Texas history to receive the Medal of Honor.
He is also the only soldier to receive the Medal of Honor from Amarillo, Texas.
An American Hero
--
His citation is here, providing some background on why he received the Medal of Honor: (
visit link)
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 1 in action against enemy forces. L/Cpl. Creek's squad was providing security for a convoy moving to resupply the Vandegrift Command Base when an enemy command detonated mine destroyed 1 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 fire fight. 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 5 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.