Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Chief Watertender · U.S. Navy

Oscar Verner Peterson

Chief Watertender Oscar Verner Peterson, Navy, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on May 7, 1942 in Coral Sea during World War II.

World War II May 7, 1942Posthumous

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Chief Watertender Oscar Verner Peterson was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on May 7, 1942 in Coral Sea during World War II. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Neosho. Peterson was 42 years old.

2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on December 1942. Medal of Honor mailed to his widow, Mrs. Lola Peterson.

Peterson was born on August 27, 1899 in Prentice, Price County, Wisconsin. His Medal of Honor is credited to Wisconsin. Peterson died on May 13, 1942 in Philippine Islands, at the age of 42. He was buried at sea.

Peterson is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 50 credited to Wisconsin.

★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor 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.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War II.

Places

  • Born: Prentice — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Wisconsin →

Timeline

  1. August 27, 1899
    Born in Prentice, Price County, Wisconsin
  2. May 7, 1942
    Act of valor — Coral Sea
    Age 42. U.S.S. Neosho
  3. May 13, 1942
    Died in Philippine Islands
    Age 42.
  4. December 1942
    Medal of Honor presented posthumously
    Medal of Honor mailed to his widow, Mrs. Lola Peterson.
  5. Resting place
    Buried at sea

Biography

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.

From the Wikipedia article “Oscar V. Peterson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Named in his honor

Further reading

Also honored for actions on May 7, 1942

William Edward Hall Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy World War II · 1942 Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV General · Army World War II · 1942

More World War II recipients from Wisconsin

Harold Christ Agerholm Private First Class · Marine Corps World War II · 1944 ✦ Cassin Young Commander · Navy World War II · 1941 CM Charles E. Mower Sergeant · Army World War II · 1944 ✦ Richard Ira Bong Major · Air Force World War II · 1944 BN Beryl Richard Newman First Lieutenant · Army World War II · 1944 KG Kenneth E. Gruennert Sergeant · Army World War II · 1942 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.