Oscar F. Peatross

Oscar Franklin Peatross (March 2, 1916 – May 26, 1993) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general who served as Marine Raider in World War II and was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism on August 17–18, 1942. He also served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

In 1993, the parade deck at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island was named for Peatross.

Early career Peatross was born on March 2, 1916, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and graduated from Needham B. Broughton High School in 1934. He later graduated from North Carolina State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1939. Peatross joined the Marine Corps on November 6, 1940, and due to his university degree he was selected for the Officer's Candidate School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. He led his 12 men onto the original planned landing site, while the other 17 boats landed on a different beach.

Peatross distinguished himself during that action on August 17–18 and received Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.

Peatross was promoted to the rank of major at the beginning of 1944 and ordered back to the United States, where he attended the Command and Staff School at Quantico. He was then ordered to Camp Pendleton, California and attached to the 28th Marine Regiment under Colonel Harry B. Liversedge. Peatross assumed duty as Regimental Operations officer and took part in extensive amphibious training of the regiment. He sailed with his regiment as the part of 5th Marine Division under Major General Keller E. Rockey to Hawaii in October 1944 and after another four months of training, they headed for Iwo Jima.

Korean War Following Iwo Jima, 28th Marines sailed back for Hawaii in order to prepare for Invasion of Japan, but the surrender of the Empire at the beginning of September 1945 changed the plans. Haynes subsequently sailed to Japan with his regiment and took part in the occupation duties at Sasebo. The 28th Marines were ordered back to the United States for deactivation in December and Peatross returned to Quantico, Virginia as an instructor with the Tactical Section, The Basic School, for the next three years.

He later directed his regiment during Operation Piranha in September of that year, in which 7th Marines were tasked with the destruction of the VC 1st Regiment, which had withdrawn to the area of the Batangan Peninsula. During the operation, 7th Marine Regiment lost only two Marines and killed 178 enemy soldiers, capturing another 360. However the operational goal of the operation – destroying of VC 1st Regiment, failed and enemy had withdrawn from the area again.

Upon his return to the United States, Peatross reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he was appointed head, Training Branch, Operations Division (G-3) and following his promotion to the rank of brigadier general on November 3, 1966, he was appointed director, Management Analysis Group, Office of the chief of staff, Headquarters United States Marine Corps.

Decorations

A complete list of the general's medals and decorations include: