Oscar Verner Peterson

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Chief Watertender Oscar Verner Peterson, United States Navy, for extraordinary courage and conspicuous heroism above and beyond the call of duty while in charge of a repair party during an attack on the U.S.S. Neosho by enemy Japanese aerial forces on 7 May 1942. Lacking assistance because of injuries to the other members of his repair party and severely wounded himself, Chief Watertender Peterson, with no concern for his own life, closed the bulkhead stop valves and in so doing received additional burns which resulted in his death. His spirit of self-sacrifice and loyalty, characteristic of a fine seaman, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Action Date: 7-May-42

Service: Navy

Rank: Chief Watertender

Source:
delsjourney.com

"
PETERSON, Oscar Vernon, 341 15 75, Chief Watertender (permanent appointment) U.S. Navy (deceased): - Extensive damage was done in the fireroom by one of the bombs which tore open main and auxiliary steam lines, boiler casings and tubes.

PETERSON was in charge of the repair party stationed in the crew's mess compartment adjacent to the upper level of the fireroom, with the additional specific duty of closing the four main steam line bulkhead stop valves during the battle, should damage dictate the need for shutting down these valves. When the bomb exploded in the fireroom the iron door leading from the fireroom to the mess compartment was torn open and the force of the explosion from the bomb, steam lines and boilers knocked PETERSON down and burned his face and hands. In spite of noises indicating further damage being done by bombs to other parts of the ship, personal injury and lack of assistance because of serious injury to other men in his repair party, PETERSON worked his way into the fireroom trunk over the forward end of the two forward boilers, when escaping steam had dissipated sufficiently to permit him to reach the bulkhead stop valves, and closed these valves. By so doing, he received additional severe burns about his head, arms and legs, which resulted in his death on May 13, 1942.

The Commanding Officer considers PETERSON's conduct to have shown the highest qualities of devotion to duty, courage and outstanding superior qualities most desired in a leading Chief Petty Officer, and he is recommended for a posthumous award of the highest order.Division: U.S.S. Neosho (AO-23)."