Collecting pieces of Minnesota's past for the future
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The Minnesota Historical Society preserves and makes available a wide range of materials chronicling Minnesota's history and culture. The goals of the Collections Department are to collect and preserve; provide access and interpretation; and engage in education and outreach. This blog is a tool to share these stories and let people know what is happening in the department.
Sergeant William Peck: One of Pershing's Hundred Heroes
This is the Gold Star Roll of Sergeant William R. Peck of Zumbrota, Minnesota, who died on this date in Raymondville, France. When the enemy opened fire on his platoon, Peck pushed his commanding officer out of the line of fire, saving the man's life by sacrificing his own. Because of his actions, he was listed as one of General Pershing's Hundred Heroes, and his picture and story were published in the August 1919 issue of the Ladies Home Journal, along with all the other men who were cited on the Hundred Heroes list.
SERGEANT WILLIAM R. PECK
354th Infantry: Minneapolis, Minnesota
The many occasions on which our officers disregarded their own safety in the effort to spare their men were balanced by equally heroic sacrifice on the part of private soldiers and noncommissioned officers. Sergeant Peck’s company was advancing across open ground near Remonville on November 1 when enemy guns opened fire on them from two sides at the same time. The platoon commander’s attention was centered upon the gun which was directly in front of him when Sergeant Peck saw the other enemy weapon on the right was directed against the officer. Seeing the predicament of his commander Sergeant Peck threw himself against the officer, shoving him into a shell hole. In this way he saved the officer’s life, but in doing so exposed himself to the enemy’s double fire and was instantly killed.
Citation:
"Peck, William R." Minnesota public Safety Commission. Gold Star Roll. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, Minnesota 114.D.4.5B