LANCE CORPORAL
THOMAS E. CREEK, USMC (DECEASED)
 

Medal of Honor Citation

Thomas E. Creek, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during February 1969 in Vietnam, was born 7 April 1950, in Joplin, Missouri. He grew up in Amarillo, Texas, and attended Forest Hill Elementary School, Horace Man Jr. High School, and Palo Duro High School.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, 16 January 1968. He completed recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, in March 1968. He received individual combat training with Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry Training Regiment, at Camp Pendleton, California, in April, and basic infantry training with Rifle Training Company, Basic Infantry Training Battalion, 2d Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton, in May 1968. He was promoted to private first class, 1 June 1968.

In July 1968, he was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam. He first saw duty as a rifleman with Company E, 2d Battalion, 27th Marines, Regimental Landing Team 27, 1st Marine Division. In September 1968, he was assigned duty as fire team leader with Company I, 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division and was promoted to, lance corporal on 1 November 1968. While serving in the latter capacity, he was killed in action on 13 February 1969, near the Cam Lo resettlement village.

A complete list of medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Meal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Vietnam War 1965 - 1973 Medal of Honor