Oscar F. Peatross
| Oscar Franklin Peatross | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Pete |
| Born |
March 2, 1916 Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Died | May 26, 1993 (aged 77) Beaufort, South Carolina |
| Place of burial | Beaufort, South Carolina |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1940–1971 (USMC) |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Commands held | Headquarters Battalion, 5th Marines 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines 7th Marine Regiment Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island |
| Battles/wars |
World War II *Makin Island raid *Battle of Guadalcanal *Bougainville Campaign *Battle of Iwo Jima Korean War Vietnam War *Operation Starlite |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Medal Legion of Merit w/ Combat "V" (3) Bronze Star Medal Combat Action Ribbon (3) |
Oscar Franklin Peatross (March 2, 1916 – May 26, 1993) was a United States Marine Corps major general who served in World War II where he was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism on August 17-18, 1942. He also served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
In 1993, the parade deck at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island was named for Peatross.
Peatross was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and graduated from Needham B. Broughton High School in 1934. He later graduated from North Carolina State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1939.
Peatross joined the Marine Corps in 1940, reporting to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. In November he entered Officer’s Candidate School. Peatross was commissioned a second lieutenant upon completion of the school in February 1941.
Lieutenant Peatross was assigned to the 2d Marine Division in San Diego, California. He volunteered for the 2d Marine Raider Battalion when the Marine Raiders units were formed in February 1942. As a first lieutenant and platoon commander with Company B, he earned the Navy Cross for his actions during the Makin Island raid on August 17–18. During the raid, he led a reinforced squad of a dozen Raiders in one of 18 rubber boats off one of two U.S. submarines, but did not receive word on a change of plan in the landing area. He led his 12 men onto the original planned landing site, whilst the other 17 boats landed on a different beach. Taking the initiative, his Navy Cross citation reads:
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