Unit/Command: Company F, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein) FMF
Military Service Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Action Date: February 25, 1966
Medal of Honor Action Place: Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Viet Cong forces at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Leading his platoon on a search-and-destroy operation in an area made particularly hazardous by extensive cave and tunnel complexes, S/Sgt. Connor maneuvered his unit aggressively forward under intermittent enemy small-arms fire. Exhibiting particular alertness and keen observation, he spotted an enemy spider hole emplacement approximately 15 meters to his front. He pulled the pin from a fragmentation grenade intending to charge the hole boldly and drop the missile into its depths. Upon pulling the pin he realized that the firing mechanism was faulty, and that even as he held the safety device firmly in place, the fuse charge was already activated. With only precious seconds to decide, he further realized that he could not cover the distance to the small opening of the spider hole in sufficient time, and that to hurl the deadly bomb in any direction would result in death or injury to some of his comrades tactically deployed near him. Manifesting extraordinary gallantry and with utter disregard for his personal safety, he chose to hold the grenade against his body in order to absorb the terrific explosion and spare his comrades. His act of extreme valor and selflessness in the face of virtually certain death, although leaving him mortally wounded, spared many of his fellow marines from death or injury. His gallant action in giving his life in the cause of freedom reflects the highest credit upon the Marine Corps and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Medal of Honor Recipient Peter S. Connor
Additional Details
Accredited to: South Orange, Essex County, New Jersey
Awarded Posthumously: Yes
Presentation Date & Details: May 2, 1967 The White House (Rose Garden), presented by Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson to his family
Born: September 4, 1932, Orange, Essex County, NJ, United States
Died: March 8, 1966, on board Hospital Ship U.S.S. Repose, at sea
Buried: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (MH) (A-E-1005), San Diego, CA, United States