Ernest Peck was born in Tennessee, but grew up in Alabama, where he attended the First Methodist Church of Guntersville. He was the first young man from that church to embark on a life of ministry. He graduated from Birmingham Southern University in Birmingham in 1958, and received a Masters of Divinity degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He was ordained a Methodist minister and pastored a church in Birmingham, before entering military service. Commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain, he served in Vietnam where he earned a Silver Star. He remained in service after the war and retired as a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel. In retirement, in the 1980s, he was chairman of emergency services of the American Red Cross in Madison County, Alabama, and pastored in Huntsville.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Division:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
June 1969
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Ernest Brian Peck, United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Chaplain Peck distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions in June 1969, while serving as Chaplain of the 101st Airborne Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. When his unit came under an intense attack from a large enemy force, although enemy rounds were impacting throughout the entire area, Chaplain Peck fearlessly moved through the enemy kill zone giving moral support to his comrades. When several men were wounded, Chaplain Peck, with complete disregard for his own safety, fearlessly exposed himself to the deadly fire as he moved to the side of the injured and comforted them as they were being treated. His valorous actions were directly responsible for the successful defense of the position. Chaplain Peck’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against an enemy force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.