Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Randall J. Peavey (ASN: 0-1301532), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, France, on 10 November 1944. As elements of Company E, *** Infantry Regiment, attacked the village of ****, they were pinned down by heavy enemy machine gun and sniper fire from windows of various houses within the village. Without thought of his own safety and in the face of direct machine gun fire, Lieutenant Peavey stood erect and threw a perfectly-timed hand grenade through a window from which the enemy had been directing a great portion of heavy fire. The grenade exploded within the room occupied by the enemy and before the enemy had an opportunity to recover from the effect of the missile, Lieutenant Peavey leaped through the window and demanded the surrender of the Germans. As a result of this gallant action, members of Lieutenant Peavey’s platoon marched forty-eight prisoners to the battalion command post. Lieutenant Peavey then discovered two enemy wounded in the basement of the building, administered first aid to them and had them evacuated. Lieutenant Peavey’s courage and daring, his leadership and initiative, spell such gallantry in action as to be in accord with the military traditions of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    *** Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    35th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 6 – 8, 1945

    Headquarters, 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 29 (April 28, 1945)

    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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Randall J. Peavey (ASN: 0-1301532), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of **** and ****, Germany, on 6, 7, and 8 March 1945. Lieutenant Peavey, commanding Company K, *** Infantry Regiment, led his troops against the well-emplaced and stubbornly defended enemy positions at ****, and personally led a squad in clearing enemy snipers from the town. Without rest, Lieutenant Peavey aggressively continued the attack. As he moved his company toward its next objective he was seriously wounded by an enemy shell fragment. Administering first aid to himself, he gallantly refused evacuation until his unit had secured its objective. Lieutenant Peavey’s dynamic leadership, fortitude and zealous devotion to duty, reflect high credit upon his character as an officer.