The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*PETERSON, OSCAR VERNER
Rank and Organization: Chief Watertender, U.S. Navy.
Born: 27 August 1899, Prentice, Wis. Accredited To: Wisconsin.
Citation:
For extraordinary courage and conspicuous heroism above and beyond the call of duty while
in charge of a repair party during an attack on the U .S .S. Neosho by enemy Japanese
aerial forces on 7 May 1942. Lacking assistance because of injuries to the other members
of his repair party and severely wounded himself, Peterson, with no concern for his own
life, closed the bulkhead stop valves and in so doing received additional burns which
resulted in his death. His spirit of self-sacrifice and loyalty, characteristic of a fine
seaman, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life in the service of his country.
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