GUENETTE, PETER M.
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company D, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)
Place: Quan Tan Uyen Province, Republic of Vietnam
GUENETTE, PETER M.
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company D, 2nd
Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)
Place: Quan Tan Uyen Province, Republic of Vietnam
Date: 18 May 1968
Entered service at: Albany, New York
Born: 4 January 1948, Troy, New York
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty, Sp4c. Guenette distinguished himself
while serving as a machine gunner with Company D, during combat operations.
While Sp4c. Guenette's platoon was sweeping a suspected enemy base camp, it came under light harassing fire from a well equipped and firmly entrenched squad of North Vietnamese Army regulars which was serving as a delaying force at the entrance to their base camp. As the platoon moved within 10 meters of the fortified positions, the enemy fire became intense. Sp4c. Guenette and his assistant gunner immediately began to provide a base of suppressive fire, ceasing momentarily to allow the assistant gunner time to throw a grenade into a bunker. Seconds later, an enemy grenade was thrown to Sp4c. Guenette's right flank. Realizing that the grenade would kill or wound at least 4 men and destroy the machine gun, he shouted a warning and smothered the grenade with his body, absorbing its blast. Through his actions, he prevented loss of life or injury to at least 3 men and enabled his comrades to maintain their fire superiority. By his gallantry at the cost of his life in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, Sp4c. Guenette has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army
---------------------------------------------------------------------
--- General / Personal ---
Last name: GUENETTE
First name: PETER MATHEW
Home of Record (official): TROY
State (official): NY
Date of Birth: Sunday, January 4, 1948
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Married
--- Military ---
Branch: Army
Rank: SP4
Serial Number: 11536937
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E4
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B20
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Sunday, December 3, 1967
Date of Casualty: Saturday, May 18, 1968
Age at time of loss: 20
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Bien Hoa
The Wall: Panel 62E - Row 018
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to: Medal Of Honor Recipients