Thomas E. Creek

1950-1969

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2025

1. Thomas E. Creek Marker

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Panhandle.

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America,

state,

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Spain,

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Rank: Lance

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2025

2. Thomas E. Creek Marker

The marker is at the gravesite, beside Thomas E. Creek’s headstone. South Arthur Street is beyond the fence in the background.

Corporal
Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
Unit/Command:
Company I, 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein) FMF
Medal of Honor Action Date: February 13, 1969
Medal of Honor Action Place: near Cam Lo, Republic of Vietnam
Citation: L/Cpl. Creek's squad was providing security for a convoy moving to resupply the Vandergrift Command Base when an enemy command-detonated mine destroyed one 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 firefight. 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

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2025

3. Thomas E. Creek Headstone

Born Apr. 7, 1950     Died Feb. 13, 1969
LCPL. Thomas E. Creek 1444444 U. S. Marines
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action
in combat near Cam Lo, South Vietnam Feb. 13, 1969
”No greater love has man than he who
lays down his life for his fellow man.”
Son of
Mr. and Mrs. Ross Creek, Sr.
Amarillo, Texas

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 five 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.
Presentation Date & Details: April 20, 1970. The White House, presented by Vice Pres. Spiro T. Agnew to his family.

Excerpt:  Thomas Creek was born on April 7, 1950, in Joplin, Missouri. He grew up in Amarillo, Texas, where he attended Forest Hill Elementary School, Horace Mann Jr. High School, and Palo Duro High School.

Creek enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on January 16, 1968. He completed recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, in March 1968. Creek 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, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton, in May 1968. He was promoted to private first class on June 1, 1968.

In July 1968, Creek was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. He first saw duty as a rifleman with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division. In September 1968, Creek was assigned duty as fire team leader with Company I, 3rd Battalion 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division and was promoted to lance corporal on November 1, 1968.

While serving as fire team leader, Creek was killed in action on February 13, 1969, near the Cam Lo resettlement village.

Llano Cemetery, Amarillo, Randall County, Texas, USA, Section E, Lot 359, Space 2