JOSEPH S. PECZELI, Gunnery Sergeant, United States Marine Corps. For extraordinary heroism as Section Leader, First Section, Third Platoon, First Armored Amphibian Company, Eleventh Marines in Vietnam. The section was engaged in search and destroy operations in support of the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines against enemy forces near An Hoa in Quang Nam Province on 24 March 1967. While covering three LVTP5s and one LVTH6 tracked personnel carriers crosssing open terrain, Gunnery Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Peczeli was in command of his vehicle when the enemy began a savage attack of small arms, automatic weapons, recoilless rifles, rockets and mortars from ambush against the vehicles and advanced elements of the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines. Disregarding his own personal safety, Gunnery Sergeant Peczeli, while on top of his vehicle, directed rapid and accurate fire into the heaviest enemy concentrations which effectively suppressed the enemy and prevented heavy casualties to the adjacent friendly forces. Throughout the initial phase of this action he continued to direct his devastating fire to allow the accompanying infantry and vehicles to maneuver and bring their own fire power to bear on the enemy. Only when it was necessary for him to evacuate wounded infantrymen did he withdraw from battle. Gunnery Sergeant Peczeli immediately returned to the ambush site, this time with his vehicles leading a Marine Company in an assault on the enemy. As a direct result of Gunnery Sergeant Peczeli’s courageous aggressiveness and swift employment of his vehicle, the enemy ambush was defeated and undoubtedly the lives of many Marines were saved. By his daring actions, exceptional professional skill and loyal devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Peczeli reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Mr. Peczeli resides in Southern California.