Medal of Honor: Forrest E. Peden – U.S. Army – France – 1945

Name: Forrest E. Peden
Rank: Technician Fifth Grade
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Battery C, 10th Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Infantry Division
Place: Near Biesheim, France
Entered Service At: Wathena, Kansas
Born: St. Joseph, Missouri
Status: Killed in Action

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Summary of Action

Advancing with a group of approximately 45 infantrymen in the uncertain light of a waning moon, Technician Fifth Grade Forrest E. Peden served as a forward artillery observer when the unit was suddenly ambushed by an enemy force outnumbering them four to one. German artillery, mortars, machine guns, and small-arms fire ripped into the Americans from both flanks, forcing them into a roadside ditch—already occupied by enemy troops.

As brutal hand-to-hand fighting erupted in the darkness, Technician Peden moved under intense fire to aid two wounded soldiers, rendering first aid despite the deadly barrage. When radio communications failed, he immediately recognized that the surrounded unit faced annihilation unless outside help could be summoned.

Acting entirely on his own initiative, Technician Peden ran 800 yards through a storm of bullets to the battalion command post—his jacket pierced by enemy fire—and secured two light tanks to relieve his trapped comrades. Fully aware of the danger, he climbed onto the hull of the lead tank, fully exposed, and guided it back toward the ambush site.

As the tank advanced through a murderous concentration of fire—bullets and shell fragments ricocheting within inches of him—it reached the ditch just as it was struck by a direct hit, erupting into flames and killing Technician Peden instantly.

His sacrifice was not in vain. Drawn by the burning tank, reinforcements located the embattled Americans and drove off the enemy, saving the survivors from destruction.

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Medal of Honor Citation

He was a forward artillery observer when the group of about 45 infantrymen with whom he was advancing was ambushed in the uncertain light of a waning moon. Enemy forces outnumbering the Americans by 4 to 1 poured withering artillery, mortar, machinegun, and small-arms fire into the stricken unit from the flanks, forcing our men to seek the cover of a ditch which they found already occupied by enemy foot troops. As the opposing infantrymen struggled in hand-to-hand combat, Technician Peden courageously went to the assistance of 2 wounded soldiers and rendered first aid under heavy fire. With radio communications inoperative, he realized that the unit would be wiped out unless help could be secured from the rear. On his own initiative, he ran 800 yards to the battalion command post through a hail of bullets which pierced his jacket and there secured 2 light tanks to go to the relief of his hard-pressed comrades. Knowing the terrible risk involved, he climbed upon the hull of the lead tank and guided it into battle. Through a murderous concentration of fire the tank lumbered onward, bullets and shell fragments ricocheting from its steel armor within inches of the completely exposed rider, until it reached the ditch. As it was about to go into action it was turned into a flaming pyre by a direct hit which killed Technician Peden. However, his intrepidity and gallant sacrifice was not in vain. Attracted by the light from the burning tank, reinforcements found the beleaguered Americans and drove off the enemy.