LAWRENCE J. MCPEAKE, CDR, USN

Lawrence McPeake '24

Date of birth: February 21, 1902

Date of death: March 1, 1942

Age: 40

Lucky Bag

From the 1924 Lucky Bag:

LAWRENCE JOHN McPEAKE

Boston, Massachusetts

"Spike"

"WELL, fellows, Boston is the hub of the universe, the center of the world's art and culture, the home of great statesmen, and the cradle of American Democracy". Thereupon, this tall Irishman lapses into a self-satisfied reverie on dear old Boston, much to the relief of his roommates.

Fresh from Boston College, "Mac" entered his naval career with a determination to take advantage of his cultural education and be savvy amongst his less fortunate classmates. To some extent he has been successful.

Just before Youngster aims, "Spivis" decided that a trip to the romantic West Indies had no charms for him. Thereupon, he journeyed to our little hospital and spent the summer enjoying the life of a convalescent. He should be complimented upon his good judgment.

From an athletic standpoint, "Spike" has never convinced the coaches that he is the man to save the day.

Always ready for a good time, "Mac" is a good gloom chaser.

"Say, fellows, have you any skags?"

LAWRENCE JOHN McPEAKE

Boston, Massachusetts

"Spike"

"WELL, fellows, Boston is the hub of the universe, the center of the world's art and culture, the home of great statesmen, and the cradle of American Democracy". Thereupon, this tall Irishman lapses into a self-satisfied reverie on dear old Boston, much to the relief of his roommates.

Fresh from Boston College, "Mac" entered his naval career with a determination to take advantage of his cultural education and be savvy amongst his less fortunate classmates. To some extent he has been successful.

Just before Youngster aims, "Spivis" decided that a trip to the romantic West Indies had no charms for him. Thereupon, he journeyed to our little hospital and spent the summer enjoying the life of a convalescent. He should be complimented upon his good judgment.

From an athletic standpoint, "Spike" has never convinced the coaches that he is the man to save the day.

Always ready for a good time, "Mac" is a good gloom chaser.

"Say, fellows, have you any skags?"

Loss

Lawrence was lost on March 1, 1942 when USS Pecos (AO 6) was sunk by Japanese air attack.

From Wikipedia:

Executive Officer Lt. Commander Lawrence J. McPeake (Annapolis Class of 1924-Posthumously promoted to Commander after the war) was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for valor for his actions aboard Pecos. After the order to abandon ship was given by the ship's Captain, … Lt. Commander McPeake was seen engaging Japanese warplanes (Aichi D3A1 "Val" dive bombers) which were machine-gunning and strafing survivors in the sea. By some crewmembers' accounts, he was reported to have made it off of the ship after it went down. Others reported him last being seen manning the machine gun. In fact, he did swim away from the vessel as it was going down with one other officer from the crew. However, his body was never recovered and he was eventually listed as Killed In Action after the War. A bridge in Milton, Massachusetts was named in honor of him.

His wife was listed as next of kin. He has a memory marker in Massachusetts.

Lawrence is listed on the Boston College Veterans Memorial; he was a member of the class of 1923 there.

Career

He had earlier been a member of the Harvard faculty.

Silver Star

Unable to find a citation for the Silver Star he was posthumously awarded.

Memorial Hall Error

Multiple listings—including his headstone—have him as a CDR; Memorial Hall has LCDR.

Class of 1924

Lawrence is one of 41 members of the Class of 1924 on Virtual Memorial Hall.