Mike & H&S Companies 

Third Battalion, Fifth Marines

Veterans of the Vietnam War

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to

CORPORAL PETER A. SCHRADER

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

          For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Radio Operator with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Vietnam on 7 November 1967. During Operation ESSEX, in Quang Nam Province, Corporal Schrader’s platoon came under heavy fire from a North Vietnamese Army force which mortally wounded the platoon commander and pinned down the remainder of the unit in a rice paddy. Quickly assessing the situation, Corporal Schrader radioed the company command group for instructions and deployed his men. With complete disregard for his own safety, he exposed himself to the hostile fire as he maneuvered his men out of the rice paddy and led them to friendly positions. Resuming its mission, the following day, the platoon was once again taken under devastating enemy mortar and small arms fire while moving across a rice paddy. The newly assigned platoon commander was mortally wounded and Corporal Schrader assumed command and positioned his weapons to provide suppressive fire as he directed his men to cover. Despite a painful wound, he courageously directed his men toward the company perimeter and maintained communications. While exposing himself to the intense enemy fire to gain better communication, he was mortally wounded. By his bold initiative, gallant fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty, Corporal Schrader was instrumental in saving his men from further injury or possible death thereby upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

For the President,

PAUL R. IGNATIUS

SECRETARY OF THE NAVY