Request for Help

[tjwest]

I am posting this at the request of a Ranger vet's family. I was contacted today by the family of a Vietnam era vet named SGT Thomas S. Pease. They state that Pease served in 75th INF, F Co and was put in for a MOH for a mission that occurred on March 1, 1969. The family has taken exception because he was apparently awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Pease has been diagnosed with inoperable lung and brain cancer and is slipping from this world to the next. They would like to see if something can be done to modify the award before he passes or before the cancer advances so far that he won't be able to understand and appreciate the modification.

The family has been working through their congressional office but has come up against a wall. They need more information about the events of the mission from people who were there in order to advance the issue any further with DOD. If you are aware of any F Co Rangers that might be able to help please pass this message to them. I have already contacted the F Co unit director from 75th RRA. The family can be reached via Anne Summe-Pease at apease52@hotmail.com or 260-799-4966 (Home), 260-249-8573 (Cell).

Please let me know if you have questions or concerns.

TJ

Travis James West, JD
USARA Midwest Regional Director
(608) 561-1779
twest@vaclaimslaw.com

[hobbit]

I am posting this at the request of a Ranger vet's family. I was contacted today by the family of a Vietnam era vet named SGT Thomas S. Pease. They state that Pease served in 75th INF, F Co and was put in for a MOH for a mission that occurred on March 1, 1969. The family has taken exception because he was apparently awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Pease has been diagnosed with inoperable lung and brain cancer and is slipping from this world to the next. They would like to see if something can be done to modify the award before he passes or before the cancer advances so far that he won't be able to understand and appreciate the modification.

The family has been working through their congressional office but has come up against a wall. They need more information about the events of the mission from people who were there in order to advance the issue any further with DOD. If you are aware of any F Co Rangers that might be able to help please pass this message to them. I have already contacted the F Co unit director from 75th RRA. The family can be reached via Anne Summe-Pease at apease52@hotmail.com or 260-799-4966 (Home), 260-249-8573 (Cell).

Please let me know if you have questions or concerns.

TJ

Travis James West, JD
USARA Midwest Regional Director
(608) 561-1779
twest@vaclaimslaw.com

The official citation makes pretty clear the circumstances which led up to the Distinguished Service Medal award for Sgt. Peace. His team came under fire, two were KIA, others were WIA (including Peace), then Peace ran out under fire to drag back a wounded comrade, then seeing an enemy grenade lobbed close to he and his wounded comrade, Peace jumped on the grenade to save his comrade's life. All that took incredible guts. The thing is though, the grenade didn't explode. Peace survived and went on to live his life for several decades after the war. He lived.

A former L Company Ranger, Frank R. Fratellenico, found himself in identical circumstances. Under intense NVA fire, he jumped on a grenade to save the lives of 3 comrades. The grenade exploded. Fratellenico died. He was 19. Congress awarded him the Medal of Honor. I hope that Sgt. Peace's family might understand the distinction here.

[Jim]

I think you mean the Distinguished Service Cross which is given for valor; as opposed to the Distinguised Service Medal which is for achievement (sort of an ARCOM for Generals).

[tjwest]

I think you mean the Distinguished Service Cross which is given for valor; as opposed to the Distinguised Service Medal which is for achievement (sort of an ARCOM for Generals).

You are correct. I posted the information above based on the information provided by Ms. Summe-Pease. I suppose I should have caught that earlier, but after having more read the citation I note that you are correct, it should be the DSC.

[Jim]

it should be the DSC.

They are few and far between. Thank you for taking care of one of our own.

[cams]

Just seeing this now. Any update on his condition?

Unfortunately, we all know that this is a mandatory transition, I hope GRITS takes him smoothly and with no more pain.

Ranger Pease, thank you brother for your obviously outstanding service and sacrifice's. You truly lead the way!

To the family of Ranger Pease, let not this Gov paperwork lesson the bravery and courage displayed by your beloved Ranger on a daily basis, you know, and his Brother Rangers know, that he is deserving of so much more than any Governmental award, and the Lord will see fit to bless him accordingly.

RLTW!

[ManchuV]

There are people today with the MOH who lived in are able to tell their tell. Ranger Pease didn't know weather the grenade was a dud or not. His action was to protect his buds with his life. Back then I guess you had to be dead in order to receive the MOH. I don't know what you can do about this. My first thing would be to contact his congressmen, but that looks like that was done already. The second is a long shot, but contact the President. Maybe he will/can do something.