The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) George Bateman Peploe (ASN: 0-16246), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Colonel Peploe distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces on the Chobigok and Naktong River at Dedung, Korea, during the period from 17 to 27 September 1950. When two battalions of his regiment formed the spearhead of the Second Infantry Division’s advance toward the Naktong River, Colonel Peploe placed himself with the point of the advance guard and personally directed the assaults against ridges, defiles, and passes where the enemy had massed his artillery and heavy weapons for an offensive of his own and was putting up a most stubborn resistance. Unmindful of the intense artillery, mortar and heavy weapons fire, he personally directed the operations of his two battalions and closely coordinated their advance in order to assure a maximum of offensive power. In one instance, he led the advance guard and enveloped the enemy flanks. This maneuver enabled the command to continue the offensive with a minimum of losses and drove the enemy across the Naktong River. Two days later, Colonel Peploe was again well in front of his troops directing the crossing of the Naktong at a point near Sadung. He proceeded to the river’s edge and, with utter disregard for the hostile artillery fire, which was falling in the area, personally directed the crossing of patrols to the far side of the river. Keeping the defeated enemy off balance, Colonel Peploe pursued them to Hyopchon and then to Kochang, a vital enemy communications center in South Central Korea. Regrouping his regiment, he renewed the attack on 27 September 1950 and broke out onto the western coastal plain to capture the key city of Chonju with thousands of prisoners and tons of supplies and equipment. In this pursuit, his regiment fought forward seventy-seven miles in ten hours. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Colonel Peploe on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
38th Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 21 & 22, 1950
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 2 (January 2, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) George Bateman Peploe (ASN: 0-16246), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 21 and 22 September 1950. in the vicinity of Chagye, Korea. On 21 September 1950 he was advancing with a tank supported company of his unit, whose mission was to attack and secure a vital pass through which the regiment had to advance in order to reach its objective. The company received such intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons and anti-tank fire that the attacking troops began to waver. Colonel Peploe, with complete disregard for his own safety, dashed forward through the heavy enemy fire and skillfully directed a flanking movement on the enemy positions. His personal example of courage and fearlessness inspired his men to rush the enemy and overcome the hostile resistance, thus permitting the regiment to continue its advance to the objective of the day. On 22 September 1950 he was once more with the lead elements of his regiment directing the destruction of an enemy roadblock consisting of four anti-tank guns and a 76-mm. cannon. He organized a tank supported assault on the stubbornly defended enemy emplacement and his example of courage and determination were decisive factors in the successful accomplishment of his unit’s mission. The gallantry and inspirational leadership displayed by Colonel Peploe on these two occasions reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the military service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
38th Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 1, 1950
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 49 (September 18, 1950), Amended by G.O. 55 (1950)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) George Bateman Peploe (ASN: 0-16246), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 1 September 1950, near Mojon-Ni, Korea. On 1 September 1950, elements of the 38th Infantry Regiment were attacking the enemy in the vicinity of Mojon-Ni, Korea. When the attacking units were temporarily halted and pinned down by an intense amount of enemy mortar, machine gun, small arms, and sniper fire, Colonel Peploe advanced to the lead elements of the pinned down attack. With complete disregard for his personal safety, and continually being exposed to intense enemy fire, he personally spurred the troops on to resume the attack. Under his fearless personal example, cool leadership and direction, the attack was able to advance far beyond its original objective. Through his inspiring leadership, tactical ability, and unremitting devotion to duty, Colonel Peploe fully upheld the finest traditions of the military service.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Division:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
February 7 – October 28, 1951
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 102 (November 27, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) George Bateman Peploe (ASN: 0-16246), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility serving with the 2d Infantry Division, in Korea during the period 7 February to 28 October 1951. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Peploe and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) George Bateman Peploe (ASN: 0-16246), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during World War II. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Peploe and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
38th Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 2 – 10, 1950
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 117 (December 26, 1950)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) George Bateman Peploe (ASN: 0-16246), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy from 2 to 10 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. On 31 August 1950 the enemy launched a general offensive with the objective of breaking through out lines and severing the vital Pusan-Taegu main supply route. The enemy’s main effort was directed at the other two regiments of the Division. Colonel Peploe’s reserve battalion was committed to assist them, leaving him with only two battalions to defend the Division’s right flank on a 12-mile front. He then withdrew his regiment to defensive positions better suited to defend the flank. Throughout this period Colonel Peploe was over in the front lines at threatened points, inspiring his troops by his fearless actions and his unconcern for personal safety. Under his brilliant leadership his outnumbered regiment held fast for four days against incessant and overwhelming enemy attacks. When the enemy drive had been halted he led his regiment in a series of limited objective attacks, which seized commanding ground from which the Division subsequently launched a successful offensive across the Naktong River. The gallantry and inspirational leadership displayed by Colonel Peploe reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.