Peter Spencer Connor

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Peter Spencer Connor (MCSN: 1280832), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 25 February 1966, while serving with the Company F, Second Battalion, Third Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Viet Cong forces in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam. Leading his platoon on a search and destroy operation in an area made particularly hazardous by extensive cave and tunnel complexes, Staff Sergeant 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.

Action Date: February 25, 1966

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Staff Sergeant

Company: Company F

Battalion: 2d Battalion

Regiment: 3d Marines

Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMF