CONNOR, PETER S.

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF

Place: Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam

Date: 25 February 1966

Entered service at: South Orange, New Jersey

Born: 4 September 1932, Orange, New Jersey

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.

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--- General / Personal ---

Last name: CONNOR

First name: PETER SPENCER

Home of Record (official): EAST ORANGE

State (official): NJ

Date of Birth: Sunday, September 4, 1932

Sex: Male

Race: Caucasian

Marital Status: Married

--- Military ---

Branch: Marine Corps

Rank: SSG

Serial Number: 1280832

Component: Regular

Pay grade: E6

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0369

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Unknown/Not reported

Date of Casualty: Tuesday, March 8, 1966

Age at time of loss: 33

Casualty type: (A2) Hostile, died of wounds

Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)

Country: South VietNam

Province: Quang Ngai

The Wall: Panel 05E - Row 129

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