Peter M. Guenette
Specialist Four, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Specialist Four Peter Matthew Guenette (4 January 1948 - 18 May 1968) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Peter Matthew Guenette was born on 4 January 1948 in Troy, NY. He joined the Army from Albany, NY in 1967. On 18 May 1968, he was serving as a Specialist Four in Company D, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). During a firefight that day in Quan Tan Uyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, Guenette covered the blast of a hand grenade with his body, sacrificing his life to protect those around him.

Medal of Honor

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4. Guenette distinguished himself while serving as a machine gunner with Company D, during combat operations. While Sp4. Guenette's platoon was sweeping a suspected enemy base camp, it came under light harassing fire from a well equipped and firmly entrenched squad of North Vietnamese Army regulars which was serving as a delaying force at the entrance to their base camp. As the platoon moved within 10 meters of the fortified positions, the enemy fire became intense. Sp4. Guenette and his assistant gunner immediately began to provide a base of suppressive fire, ceasing momentarily to allow the assistant gunner time to throw a grenade into a bunker. Seconds later, an enemy grenade was thrown to Sp4. Guenette's right flank. Realizing that the grenade would kill or wound at least 4 men and destroy the machine gun, he shouted a warning and smothered the grenade with his body, absorbing its blast. Through his actions, he prevented loss of life or injury to at least 3 men and enabled his comrades to maintain their fire superiority. By his gallantry at the cost of his life in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, Sp4. Guenette has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Peter Matthew Guenette's name is inscribed on Panel 62E - Line 18.

Death and Burial

Specialist Four Peter Matthew Guenette was killed in action on 18 May 1968. He is buried at Saint Johns Cemetery in Lansingburgh, NY.