Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Superior Service Medal to Captain Peter Wolcott Soverel, United States Navy, was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal for exceptionally superior service as Naval Member, and as Director, Defense Operations Division, Office of the Defense Advisor, United States Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels, Belgium, Office of the Secretary of Defense, from July 1982 to July 1985. Captain Soverel was directly responsible for the supervision and development of United States positions on Alliance defense issues relating to operational and exercise matters. He produced cohesive, persuasive policy formulations, which contributed directly to consistent United States successes for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. His analyses and recommendations on a broad range of defense matters, frequently used verbatim by the Secretary of Defense, had a significant impact on United States national security. Captain Soverel proposed and largely authored a detailed, multi-disciplinary examination of North Atlantic Treaty Organizations strategy of flexible response. This complex task required an extensive knowledge of various operational details, as well as a thorough understanding and clear perception of the strategic implications of Alliance politics, national sensitivities and European political realities. The study was well received and became a standard reference document on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Soverel reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Silver Star
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantDivision:
River Assault Squadron 9Action Date:
August 16, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Peter Wolcott Soverel, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 16 August 1968. Lieutenant Soverel commanded a column of River Assault Squadron NINE boats conducting operations in support of U.S. Army elements along the Ben Tre River in Kien Hoa Province. Late in the day, after heavy enemy contact was broken, Lieutenant Soverel coordinated the landing of a portion of the embarked troops and ordered approximately two-thirds of his boats to establish a defensive position at the beach. He and the remainder of his craft and the embarked infantry were proceeding downstream to another landing zone when a large Viet Cong unit opened fire from ambush position. One of the minesweepers received a direct hit from a recoilless rifle round and careened out of control toward the enemy bunkers. Lieutenant Soverel realizing the danger, initiated a devastating barrage of return fire on the enemy positions and ordered the other lead boats to cease minesweeping and take the damaged craft in tow. Lieutenant Soverel’s accurate fire control succeeded in disrupting the enemy fire thus enabling him to turn the formation into the beach and land the infantry to assault the enemy. Lieutenant Soverel noticed that the two lead boats had not turned with the formation and realized they had not heard his command. When further efforts to communicate by radio failed, he instructed the monitor on which he was embarked to overtake the damaged craft and its tow. The intensity of enemy fire increased as the three boats passed deeper into Viet Cong territory, thus requiring Lieutenant Soverel to direct the monitor’s gunners to engage several enemy positions simultaneously. After several minutes of pursuit, Lieutenant Soverel climbed on top a gun mount exposing himself fearlessly to continuing enemy fire to effect visual signals to turn the boats around. He maintained this position until finally gaining contact and reversing their course. On the return transit, he interposed his monitor between the two vulnerable craft and the enemy fire and covered their return. His outstanding professionalism, sense of responsibility and courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.