COLONEL HERBERT GALE PEABODY, was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster, by direction of the President, in addition to the Distinguished Service Cross awarded to First Lieutenant Herbert G. Peabody, by the Commander-in-Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, a bronze Oak Leaf Cluster is awarded to him by the Commander-in-Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 2, 1926. The citation is as follows: Herbert G. Peabody, First Lieutenant, Infantry, Headquarters, 32nd Infantry Division, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action near Buna, New Guinea, on December 5, 1942. When a rifle company patrol broke through the enemy lines and established itself on the beach between Buna Village and Buna Station, the only supply route to it lay through the hostile position. First Lieutenant Peabody led a carrying party forward in an effort to replenish the ammunition of the patrol. When its advance was discovered, the party was checked by enemy mortar fire and by fire from snipers. Gathering his men together, First Lieutenant Peabody crawled forward with them through the enemy position to the patrol. The ammunition thus delivered made possible the holding, in spite of repeated enemy counterattacks, of this key point cutting hostile communication lines.

COL Peabody joined the Legion of Valor in 1978 and resided in Taiwan.

View Mr. Peabody’s Distinguished Service Cross.