Peter James Paele, age 32, from Kahului, Hawaii, Maui county.
Service era: Vietnam
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment
Date of death: Saturday, October 21, 1967
Death details: Bronze Star citation: For heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 October 1967 Sergeant Paele distinguished himself while serving as a Squad Leader in Company A, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry. While on a search and destroy mission near FSB Mary Lou, his platoon began receiving sniper fire and several men were wounded immediately. Moving forward to a position from which he could better engage the enemy; Sergeant Paele began to return the fire, covering the men behind him as they attempted to maneuver. Noting the positions of several of the snipers, Sergeant Paele fired on them, eliminating one and forcing the others to flee. Though in the course of this action he received a wound which later proved to be fatal, he continued to fire until he ran out of ammunition, His decisive actions and personal courage undoubtedly prevented the snipers from inflicting additional casualties on the platoon. Sergeant Paele’s aggressiveness and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army,
Cemetery: Fort Leavenworth National
Source: National Archives, 35th Infantry Regiment Association
