Peter Frederick DeWilde, Jr.
Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Peter Frederick DeWilde, Jr. was born on 17 March 1950 in Lansing, MI. He attended Glendale High School for three years where he was a member of the Student Senate, played football, participated in stage productions and managed a little league baseball team. He then transferred to a high school in Lansing, MI, from which he graduated in 1968.

Peter enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1968.

On 5 March 1969, Private First Class Peter Frederick DeWilde, Jr. was serving with 1st Platoon, C Company, 3rd Recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force, in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, PFC DeWilde was killed in action when he sustained head wounds from small arms fire. His body was recovered.

Medals

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Peter Frederick DeWilde (MCSN: 2484172), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Reconnaissance Man with Company C, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the morning of 5 March 1969, Private First Class DeWilde's reconnaissance team was occupying a defensive position at Fire Support Base ARGONNE south of the Demilitarized Zone. Suddenly, the Marines were assaulted by a North Vietnamese Army platoon employing mortars, hand grenades, and automatic weapons. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near him, Private First Class DeWilde, who was positioned in a listening post, fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain toward the friendly perimeter to assist his comrades in repulsing the hostile attack. Encountering a North Vietnamese, he aggressively attacked the enemy soldier and, employing his weapon as a club, quickly killed the man. Upon reaching friendly lines, he commenced delivering accurate fire upon the hostile force and resolutely continued his determined efforts until he was mortally wounded by the intense hostile fire. His bold initiative and resolute determination inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit's accounting for twenty hostile soldiers killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty, Private First Class DeWilde upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Honors

The name Peter F DeWilde, Jr. is located on Panel W30 Line 43 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

PFC DeWilde is buried at Deepdale Memorial Park in Delta Township, MI.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=96836705