Thomas Elbert Creek (1950 - 1969)

Born 7 Apr 1950 in Joplin, Jasper, Missouri, United States

Ancestors

Died 13 Feb 1969 at age 18 in near Cam Lo, Hải Phòng, Vietnam

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Biography

Tommy Creek was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Lance Corporal Tommy Creek was Killed in Action in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Lance Corporal Tommy Creek served in the United States Marine Corps in the Vietnam War
Service started: January 1968
Unit(s): Co. I, 3rd Battalion 9th Marines
Service ended: February 1969

Birth

Lance Cpl. Thomas Elbert Creek was born on 7 April 1950 in Joplin, Missouri, United States to Ross Freeman Creek (1916-1982) and Bobbie Frances Holmes Creek (1930-1991). Ross Creek had first married Addie Mae Ruland (1922-1990) on 4 October 1938 in Mitchell County, Texas. Addie was the mother of his half siblings.

Half Siblings: Children of the Creek-Ruland Marriage

1. Peggy Mae Creek was born on 5 January 1940 in Mitchell County, Texas, United States.
2. Ross Freeman Creek Jr. was born on 17 February 1949. He married Kristine L. Ochsner on 14 February 1977 in Potter County, Texas.
3. Roy Lee Creek was born on 19 March 1951 in Amarillo, Potter, Texas, United States. He had also served with the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam. Roy died on 15 April 2003 in Williamson County, Texas, United States.

Military Service

CITATION FOR MEDAL OF HONOR

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company 1 in action against enemy forces. L/Cpl. Creek's squad was providing security for a convoy moving to resupply the Vandegrift Command Base when an enemy command detonated mine destroyed 1 of the vehicles and halted the convoy near the Cam Lo Resettlement Village. Almost immediately, the marines came under a heavy volume of hostile mortar fire followed by intense small-arms fire from a well-concealed enemy force. As his squad deployed to engage the enemy, L/Cpl. Creek quickly moved to a fighting position and aggressively engaged in the fire fight. Observing a position from which he could more effectively deliver fire against the hostile forces. he completely disregarded his own safety as he fearlessly dashed across the fire-swept terrain and was seriously wounded by enemy fire. At the same time, an enemy grenade was thrown into the gully where he had fallen, landing between him and several companions. Fully realizing the inevitable results of his action, L/Cpl. Creek rolled on the grenade and absorbed the full force of the explosion with his body, thereby saving the lives of 5 of his fellow marines. As a result of his heroic action, his men were inspired to such aggressive action that the enemy was defeated and the convoy was able to continue its vital mission. L/Cpl. Creek's indomitable courage, inspired the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

3d Marine Division

9th Marines

Thomas enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 16 January 1968. He was in the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Californi in March 1968. From there he went to Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, San Diego, California for basic infantry training with the Rifle Training Company, Basic Infantry Training Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment through May 1968. By 1 June 1968, he had been promoted to Private First Class.

In July 1968, he deployed to South Vietnam as a rifleman with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was assigned duty as a fire team leader with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in September 1968. This is the team he was with when he was killed in action near the Cam Lo resettlement village. His squad was escorting a convoy of trucks that were bringing supplies to Vandegrift Combat Base when a fire fight began. He was shot in the neck and despite his wound, he rolled on top of a grenade while saving 5 of his men.

Death and Burial

Lance Corporal Creek was killed in action on 13 February 1969 near Cam Lo, Republic of Vietnam (South) at the age of 18. He was buried in the Llano Cemetery, Amarillo, Randall County, Texas. There are photos of his headstone. Find A Grave: Memorial #7030420. Plot: Section E Lot 359 Space 2. ^[1]

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Panel 32w, Line 25

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