Oscar F. Peatross

Oscar Franklin Peatross (March 2, 1916 – May 26, 1993) was a highly decorated officer of the

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Oscar Franklin Peatross (MCSN: 0-7196), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as a Platoon Commander of Company B, SECOND Marine Raider Battalion, during the Marine Raider Expedition against the Japanese-held island of Makin in the Gilbert Islands on 17 and 18 August 1942. When extremely rough seas forced his separation from the rest of the raiding party, Captain Peatross boldly landed his men behind the enemy lines and attacked a superior enemy force. Continuing to harass the enemy's rear, thereby creating confusion in their ranks, Captain Peatross' daring tactics caused one of the enemy's aerial bombing formations to bomb its own troops. In this forceful and courageous engagement he and his group killed or wounded fifteen Japanese. His resourcefulness, leadership and personal valor were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[5]

The 2nd Raider battalion was then ordered to

Following the formation of 2nd Marine Regiment in September 1943, Peatross was appointed regimental operations officer under Lieutenant Colonel Alan Shapley. He also held additional duty as regimental executive officer and sailed with the regiment to Bougainville and took part in the Occupation and Defense of Cape Torokina in November–December 1943.^[6]

Peatross was promoted to the rank of major at the beginning of 1944 and ordered back to the United States, where he attended the

Peatross was transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky in summer 1949 and served as the Amphibious Warfare Instructor at the United States Army Armor School. While in this capacity, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel on January 1, 1951.^[2]

During the

He was ordered back to the United States in February 1954 and assumed duties at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., as assistant head, Officer Procurement Branch, Personnel Department. Peatross served in this capacity for three years under Brigadier General Reginald H. Ridgeley Jr. and then assumed command of the 1st Recruit Training Battalion at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.^[2]

Peatross later served as the S-3 officer and executive officer of the Recruit Training Regiment there and following his promotion to colonel in July 1959, he was ordered to Quantico for the Senior Course at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico. He graduated in June 1960 and commanded the school's Demonstration Troops until July 1963.

Vietnam War

Peatross then served successively as Chief, Ground Combat Section, Landing Force Development Center, and as Chief, Publications Branch, Marine Corps Education Center, before joined the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California. He served for several months as assistant chief of staff, G-4, and then as chief of staff of the III Marine Expeditionary Force during Exercise "Winter Night."

In March 1964, he became commanding officer of the

Peatross commanded his regiment during the Operation Starlite in August 1965, when the Viet Cong (VC) 1st Regiment had planned the attack on Chu Lai Base Area. He attacked the VC forces and repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire, while commanding his regiment. Peatross deployed his command post in those positions from which he could personally direct the attack with disregard for the constant enemy small arms and mortar fire to which he was subjected. He was decorated with the Silver Star for gallantry in action and also received his third Presidential Unit Citation and second Navy Unit Commendation.^[5][9]

He later directed his regiment during Operation Piranha in September of that year, in which 7th Marines were tasked with the destruction of the VC 1st Regiment, which had withdrawn to the area of the Batangan Peninsula. During the operation, 7th Marine Regiment lost only two Marines and killed 178 enemy soldiers, capturing another 360. However the operational goal of the operation – destroying of VC 1st Regiment, failed and enemy had withdrawn from the area again.^[9]

Peatross later held additional duty as chief of staff, Task Force Delta under Brigadier General

Upon his return to the United States, Peatross reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he was appointed head, Training Branch, Operations Division (G-3) and following his promotion to the rank of brigadier general on November 3, 1966, he was appointed director, Management Analysis Group, Office of the chief of staff, Headquarters United States Marine Corps.[2]

While in this capacity, Peatross distinguished himself and received his third Legion of Merit. His official citation reads:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Oscar Franklin Peatross (MCSN: 0-7196), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, Management Analysis Group, Office of the Chief of Staff, Headquarters United States Marine Corps, from 3 December 1966 to 18 October 1968. Through his ability as an highly competent and resourceful manager, General Peatross initiated numerous programs designed to strengthen management systems within the Marine Corps. Displaying outstanding leadership and professional skill, General Peatross developed the "Marine Corps Program Progress Report," a management discipline proving to be of invaluable assistance to the Commandant of the Marine Corps in his decision-making role. General Peatross headed the development of the program "Command and Management Presentation," a program presented to Marine Corps Officers, senior non-commissioned officers and key civilians to make them aware of management techniques created by the introduction of automated systems into the Marine Corps. He exhibited the Command and Management Presentation to every major Marine Corps Command in the United States, reaching over 26,000 key personnel. The presentation was also made to the Secretary of the Navy, selected Department of Defense and Department of the Navy personnel, to the Harvard University Advance Management Program, and the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School. General Peatross, recognizing the broadening of requirement for systems management throughout the Marine Corps and the lack of personnel possessing the technical skills of management analysis and data processing to manage these systems, sponsored the planning and provided the impetus required to provide eighteen Information System Design Sections, one in each major Marine Corps Command and Management Systems, while ensuring the preservation of human factors. By his outstanding leadership, sound judgment and inspiring devotion to the fulfillment of his responsibilities, General Peatross was an inspiration to all who served with him. His performance throughout this period upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.^[5]

While stationed at Headquarters Marine Corps, General Peatross was ordered to Harvard University to attend the Advance Management Program, Graduate School of Business Administration, during September–December 1966.

He was promoted to the rank of major general on October 18, 1968, and ordered to

Major General Oscar F. Peatross died on May 26, 1993, after long illness in Beaufort, South Carolina, and was interred at Veterans National Cemetery, Beaufort, South Carolina.^[1]

Quotes

"We find that the Marine Corps is made up of 99 percent Marines and 1 percent bullshitters. In peacetime, the bullshitters tend to be the ones you hear from. But I waded ashore on Guadalcanal in '42. I looked all the way down the beach to my right and all the way up the beach to my left. There wasn't a bullshitter in sight."^[11]

Decorations

A complete list of the general's medals and decorations include:^[5]

See also

• List of historically notable United States Marines

Notes

References

Peatross, Oscar F. Bless 'em All: The Raider Marines of World War II ; REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY (1995).