Oscar V. Peterson

Oscar Verner Peterson (August 27, 1899 – May 13, 1942) was a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor posthumously in World War II for his actions during the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Early life and career

Peterson was born in Prentice, Wisconsin, and enlisted in the United States Navy on December 8, 1920. After his initial training, he spent his entire Navy career of over twenty years on sea duty aboard various ships.

By the United States' entry into World War II, Peterson had achieved the rank of chief watertender. He was assigned to , a replenishment oiler operating in the Pacific theater.

Battle of the Coral Sea On May 7, 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea, Neosho was heavily damaged by Japanese dive bomber aircraft. In one bombing raid, Peterson and members of the repair party he led were severely wounded. Despite his injuries, he managed to close four bulkhead steam line valves, but suffered third-degree burns to his face, shoulders, arms and hands in the process. By shutting the valves, Peterson isolated the steam to the engine room and helped keep the ship operational.