Peter Brooks Saltonstall was born on May 18, 1921, in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. He was the son of Leverett Saltonstall and Alice Wesselhoeft Saltonstall.
Saltonstall was born in Chestnut Hill Massachusetts and attended Harvard University, Where he was on the Smoker Committee, Dramatic Club, Football Team, House Football, Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770, Pi Eta Club, and the Porcellian Club. He majored in Psychology and Sociology. He intended to enter the medical field. He served in Battery B, 1st 155mm Artillery Battalion, 3rd Amphibious Corps as a Platoon Sergeant during World War II. He was Killed in Action on August 13, 1944, while leading a patrol, during the Battle for Guam.
Silver Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Platoon Sergeant Peter B. Saltonstall (MCSN: 378338), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a member of a six-man reconnaissance patrol serving with the First 155-mm. Howitzer Battalion, Third Amphibious Corps, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, 13 August 1944. When three men of his patrol, including his superior officer, were separated from the rest by a group of Japanese, Platoon Sergeant Saltonstall immediately assumed command of the remainder of the unit and opened fire on the enemy. Joined by another small patrol and deciding to attempt a break-through to aid the forward group, he courageously led his men toward the vicinity of the Japanese and, as the enemy suddenly ambushed them with hand grenades, repeatedly warned his comrades of those grenades he was able to see, meanwhile steadfastly maintaining accurate, effective fire. Subsequently, unaware that three of his group were wounded, he arose to give the order to close in, but was killed by enemy rifle fire. Platoon Sergeant Saltonstall's inspiring leadership, dauntless fighting spirit and unselfish efforts on behalf of his comrades were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his county.
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