PeterReece

Peter Edward Reece served as - Spc. 5 - E5 - Army - Regular Enlisted Service

He was 19 years old at the time of his death.

Peter was born on October 30, 1949 in Saltsburg, Austria.

His tour of duty began in Vietnam on July 14, 1968.

Peter served with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry (Armored),

23rd Division (Americal)

Peter died on April 11, 1969 in Quang Tin Province,

Republic of South Vietnam in the area of Lz Baldy, while manning an APC, (Armored Personnel Carrier), machine gun position. Peter died that day with

SFC. Neil Philip Farmer (DSC), 2(SS), 3(BS) & 5(PH), Sgt. Robert Lewis Knight Jr.,

SP4 Stephen Mix Lewis, and SP4 Robert Hall Smart.

(Please see SFC Neil Farmer's DSC write-up below. This is the action these men died in )

His death was a result of hostile small arms fire upon his position. Peter suffered a gunshot wound to his chest. His parents were Ralph and Gertrudis Reece. His father Ralph was a retired army cook. Peter's death was attested to by Sp4 Larry Biggerstaff and Dane Clark from Troop B.

His body was recovered.

Peter's religion was Baptist. He was not married.

Peter is interred next to his Father Ralph Jr. in the Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Tarrs Pa. Section #53, Grave 1

Peter's name is listed on Panel 27W --- Line 58

of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

"Rest In Peace Peter You Are Missed By All

Who Knew You"

Honors

Peter enlisted in the United States Army in 1967. He served with Honor and Distinction in the defense of his Men, Country, and Flag. For his service to his Country, Peter received the following awards:

Purple Heart for wounds received from hostile enemy fire.

National Defence Service Medal

Vietnam Service Medal

Vietnam Campaign Medal

Good Conduct Medal

The Republic of Vietnam, Gallantry Cross with Palm

The Republic of Vietnam, Military Merit Medal

Department of the Army

Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam

Apo San Francisco 96375

General Orders

Number 1951

Award Of The Distingushed Service Cross

1. TC 320 The folling Award is announced posthumously.

Farmer, Neil P., RA 16333431, Sergeant First Class United States Army, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, Americal Division, APO 96374.

Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross

Date of Action: 11 April 1969

Theater: Republic of Vietnam

Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Sergeant First Class Farmer distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 11 April, 1969 as a platoon sergeant during a search and clear mission near the village of Bao Binh Ha. While he was destroying an unoccupied enemy bunker, his platoon came under heavy automatic weapons fire from a well fortified ambush position. Sergeant Farmer immediately returned to his vehicle, crawling seventy five meters through open rice paddies, receiving wounds in his right arm from the hostile fusillade. Although wounded he directed three tracks in an assault which over ran the communists' strongholds. Enemy fire however, soon erupted from a second location and the lead vehicle sustained several direct hits from antitank and recoilless rifle rounds, wounding or killing the entire crew. Leaving the safety of his own vehicle, Sergeant Farmer crossed the bullet-swept rice paddies to assist the injured in the other vehicle. As the communists intensified their barrage, he mounted the disabled track and was beginning to place suppressive fire on the foe when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the gun shield of his weapon, wounding him fatally. Sergeant First Class Farmer's extraordinary herism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963