Honoring Lance Corporal Thomas E. Creek, USMC of Amarillo, Texas

For Memorial Day 2020, I remember Lance Corporal Thomas Elbert Creek, United States Marine Corps, of Amarillo, Texas. The Thomas E. Creek Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center located here in Amarillo, Texas is named after Lance Corporal Creek.

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Thomas E. Creek was born on April 7, 1950, in Joplin, Missouri. His father, Ross F. Creek, was originally from Amarillo, Texas, and moved here with his family early in Thomas Creek's life. Creek attended Palo Duro High School in Amarillo before enlisting in the Marine Corps.

LCPL Thomas Elbert Creek of Amarillo, Texas was killed on February 13, 1969 in South Vietnam, The Republic of. LCPL Creek was assigned to I CO, 3RD BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF, US Marine Corps in Quang Tri Province. For his service he was awarded The Medal of Honor, The Purple Heart and The Combat Action Ribbon. At the time of his death LCPL Creek was 18 years old and in country for 224 days.

On Feb 13, 1969, Lance Corporal Creek's squad was providing security for a convoy moving to resupply the Vandegrift Combat 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 North Vietnamese Army force. When his squad rapidly deployed to engage the enemy, Lance Corporal Creek quickly moved to a fighting position and aggressively engaged in the fire fight. Lance Corporal Creek's indomitable courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

His citation reads: "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".

His Medal was posthumously given to his family at the White House by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew on April 20, 1970.

LCPL Creek’s name appears on The Wall at Panel W32, Line 25.

He is buried in Amarillo, Texas in the Llano Estacado Cemetery: Section E, Lot 359

You are not forgotten Lance Corporal Creek. Semper Fidelis.