Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    253d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    63d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 3, 1945

    Headquarters, 63d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 543 (August 16, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Thomas L. Peters (ASN: 0-554159), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 3 January 1945, in the vicinity of Gros Rederching, France. When the battalion was attacked by the equivalent of an enemy regiment supported by twelve tanks, the company on the left of Lieutenant Peters’ platoon withdrew to alternate positions. Because communications were out, Lieutenant Peters did not know of the withdrawal, and his position was attacked from three directions. When his company commander gave the order for the company to withdraw, he stayed in position, covering his platoon. He delayed the enemy in their attack by his continuous small arms fire and innumerable grenades, accounting for fifty enemy casualties. When the enemy were but fifteen yards from him, he withdrew to his platoon under intense small arms fire. The intrepidity of Lieutenant Peters’ action reflects the highest credit upon himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.