Colonel Herbert G. Peabody, DSC-OLC, USA (RET), was twice rewarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism while serving with the 32nd Infantry Division in New Guinea in 1942. Both citations were published in General Orders No. 64, Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, dated 28 December 1942, and appear below.

Distinguished Service Cross, by direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul.43, WD, 1918) the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded by the Commander-in-Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, to the following officer: Herbert G. Peabody, First Lieutenant, Infantry, Headquarters 32nd Division, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action near Cape Sudest, New Guinea, on November 16, 1942. When enemy airplanes attacked and set fire to four small ships carrying United States Army personnel and supplies, First Lieutenant Peabody called for volunteers to attempt a rescue. With four enlisted men, he boarded a small coastal vessel and ordered it to proceed to the blazing vessels. In spite of repeated enemy bombing and strafing and without regard to his personal safety, he continued the search for survivors until long after dark.

Colonel Peabody joined the L.O.V. in 1978 and resided in Taiwan.

View COL Peabody’s Oak Leaf Cluster.