Peter S. Connor-San Diego, CA
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 32° 41.010 W 117° 14.646
11S E 477116 N 3616226
Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient for action in Quang Nag Province, Republic of Vietnam on February 25, 1966. He was killed in action. He is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA in Section AE, Site 1005.
Waymark Code: WMXHX5
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 01/16/2018
Views: 0
He was born on September 4, 1932 in Orange, NJ and died on March 8, 1966 in Vietnam. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *CONNOR, PETER S.
• Rank and Organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF
• Place and Date: Quang Nag Province, Republic of Vietnam, 25 February 1966
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Viet Cong forces at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Leading his platoon on a search and destroy operation in an area made particularly hazardous by extensive cave and tunnel complexes, S/Sgt. Connor maneuvered his unit aggressively forward under intermittent enemy small-arms fire. Exhibiting particular alertness and keen observation, he spotted an enemy spider hole emplacement approximately 15 meters to his front. He pulled the pin from a fragmentation grenade intending to charge the hole boldly and drop the missile into its depths. Upon pulling the pin he realized that the firing mechanism was faulty, and that even as he held the safety device firmly in place, the fuse charge was already activated. With only precious seconds to decide, he further realized that he could not cover the distance to the small opening of the spider hole in sufficient time, and that to hurl the deadly bomb in any direction would result in death or injury to some of his comrades tactically deployed near him. Manifesting extraordinary gallantry and with utter disregard for his personal safety, he chose to hold the grenade against his body in order to absorb the terrific explosion and spare his comrades. His act of extreme valor and selflessness in the face of virtually certain death, although leaving him mortally wounded, spared many of his fellow marines from death or injury. His gallant action in giving his life in the cause of freedom reflects the highest credit upon the Marine Corps and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Armed Service: Marines
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