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The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant William Lee Peters, Jr. (MCSN: 0-102208), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-165), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN, First Marine Aircraft Wing, in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 April 1969. First Lieutenant Peters launched as Wingman in a section of two Ch-46 transport helicopters assigned to heli-lift a reconnaissance team into hostile territory. After arriving over the designated location, the lead aircraft inserted the Marines without incident but, while lifting off, the aircraft came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire and sustained extensive damage. Observing that the reconnaissance team was pinned down where it had disembarked and that the Marines were surrounded by a numerically superior hostile force, First Lieutenant Peters circled the area while helicopter gunships and fixed wing aircraft bombed and strafed the enemy soldiers who clung tenaciously to their positions only 20 feet from the beleaguered unit. When the supporting aircraft had expended its ordnance, First Lieutenant Peters, fully aware of the possible consequences of his actions but concerned only with the welfare of the men on the ground, fearlessly elected to attempt the extraction and, as he approached the landing zone, became the target for intense automatic weapons fire. Although numerous rounds penetrated his helicopter, he landed in the fire-swept area and, with calm presence of mind, resolutely maintained his dangerously exposed position, despite a fanatical assault by two North Vietnamese Army soldiers who were killed by the reconnaissance team. Assuring that the ground unit was safely aboard, he then quickly lifted from the zone under an increasingly intense volume of fire from the frustrated enemy which damaged a vital control section of his helicopter. In a brilliant display of superb airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Peters saved his fellow Marines from serious injury or possible death and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (HMM-165)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    June 8, 1969

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant William Lee Peters, Jr. (MCSN: 0-102208), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (HMM-165), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 8 June 1969, First Lieutenant Peters launched as Wingman in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned to extract a reconnaissance team that was heavily engaged with a numerically superior hostile force approximately eighteen miles from DaNang. Arriving over the designated area, he located the team in a bomb crater on the side of a ridge, surrounded by eighty-foot trees. While supporting Marine gunships provided suppressive fire, the lead aircraft attempted to approach the pick-up zone to lower a hoist, but the pilot was forced to abort the mission and return to DaNang when his helicopter sustained severe damage from enemy fire. After escorting his flight leader back to DaNang and equipping his own aircraft with an extraction ladder, First Lieutenant Peters returned to the team’s position. With complete disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly maneuvered his aircraft into the pick-up zone, and ignoring the intense hostile fire directed at his helicopter, maintained a hover at an altitude of one hundred feet while the reconnaissance team members climbed aboard. Although his aircraft sustained several hits, wounding one of his crew members, First Lieutenant Peters steadfastly remained in his hazardous position until all the Marines had safely embarked. Then, while still under fire, he skillfully departed the area and transported the team members to safety. His superior airmanship and resolute determination inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the safe extraction of the Marines. By his courage, superb aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Peters upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.