CREEK, THOMAS E.
Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company I 3rd
Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division (Rein), FMF
Place: Near Cam Lo, Republic of Vietnam
Date: 13 February, 1969
Entered service at: Amarillo, Texas
Born: 7 April 1950, Joplin, Missouri
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 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 in 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.
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--- General / Personal ---
Last name: CREEK
First name: THOMAS ELBERT
Home of Record (official): AMARILLO
State (official): TX
Date of Birth: Friday, April 7, 1950
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: LCPL
Serial Number: 2403648
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0311
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Thursday, July 4, 1968
Date of Casualty: Thursday, February 13, 1969
Age at time of loss: 18
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Artillery, rocket, mortar (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Tri
The Wall: Panel 32W - Row 025
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