Pfc. Peter Cogill

Hero Profile - Vietnam

Address when enlisted - 71 Church St.

Date of Sacrifice February 25, 1967 - Age 20

Member of The Cohasset High School Class of 1966

Text of Memorial Dedication on November 11, 1996

Ladies and gentleman, good afternoon. My name is Cliff Jones and I would like to welcome you to the dedication of the Peter Cogill Memorial Square.

Reverend Dr. Bert White will now give the benediction.

Private First Class Peter Cogill was born in Cohasset on January 8, 1947. He attended Ripley Road School, Deer Hill School, and was a member of the Class of 1966 at Cohasset High School.

Peter loved working for Tony Sestito and loved the town of Cohasset, but longed to join the Army, which he did on July 26, 1966.

He completed Basic and volunteered to attend parachute training. He ultimately earned his jump wings.

He then joined Able Company 326 Engineering Battalion, 101 Airborne Division in the Republic of Vietnam.

On February 25, 1967, after two months in the country, Peter was on patrol against hostile enemy forces. Peter was killed in action on that date while attempting to diffuse a mine.

Peter had many friends and family here in Cohasset. But as time passes by, so do friends and family. By the dedication of this Memorial Square we keep his memory alive in our hearts. Private First Class Peter Cogill, fallen hero, never to be forgotten.

Peter Cogill, Private First Class United States Airborne, a loving son, a trusting brother, a classmate, a friend, a man and a fallen American hero, never to be forgotten.

No greater sacrifice can a man make than to lay down his life for his country.

Peter’s military awards include:

• Bronze Star Medal “V” for valor.
• Purple Heart Medal
• Military Merit Medal
• National Defense Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Vietnam Campaign Medal
• Parachutist Badge
• Combat Infantry Badge

and other numerous campaign and unit awards.

And now to say a few words on the behalf of Peter’s mother, I would like to introduce to Kimberly Beale, Peter’s niece.

Wanted to be a soldier
Peter Cogill's life remembered
Byline: By Samantha Brown
SAMBROWN@CNC.COM

It has been said there is a hero in all of us, but in reality only some are brave enough to risk it all on behalf of our country. It takes a special person to answer the call of duty and join the ranks of our armed forces, and Cohasset resident Peter Cogill answered that call gladly.

In July 1966, fulfilling his dream of one day becoming a soldier, Cogill enlisted in the army at just 19 years old. Leaving many friends and family behind, he bravely set off to serve in the Vietnam War, not knowing he would never return home to the town he loved.

Cogill was born on Jan. 8, 1947. He attended the Ripley Road School, Deer Hill School, and was a member of the Class of 1966 at Cohasset High School. While living at 71 Church St., he enjoyed landscaping for Tony Sestito. But serving in the military was something he had always wanted to do, and he served well as a Private First Class. It seems the patriotic spirit that lived in Cogill was a family trait, as four of Cogill's brothers and one of his sisters also served during Vietnam.

Cogill completed basic training and volunteered to attend parachute training. He ultimately earned his jump wings and soon joined Able Company 326 Engineering Battalion, 101 Airborne Division in the Republic of Vietnam. After two months in the country, Cogill was on patrol when he came against hostile enemy forces. On Feb. 25, 1967, while attempting to diffuse a mine, his young life was cut short when he was killed in action. Cogill was the second Cohasset man to die during Vietnam, and the first of three young men from the Cohasset High School Class of 1966 to sacrifice his life. He died just seven months after graduation.

Vietnam took a heavy toll on the town, as eight men were killed, including Peter J. Albiani, Jr., Allen F. Keating, William C. Laidlaw, John Paul Lyon, Edward R. Maree, Craig M. Simeone, and Dennis J. Reardon. Cohasset lost the same number of soldiers during World War II. The worst eight months of Vietnam were in 1969, when the town lost five men, four at six-week intervals.

For his service in the war, Cogill was honored with many military awards including the Bronze Star Medal "V" for valor, the Purple Heart medal, the Military Merit medal, the National Defense medal, the Vietnam Service medal, the Vietnam Campaign medal, a parachutist badge, a combat infantry badge, and numerous other campaign and unit awards.

To ensure his memory is never forgotten, a memorial square has been dedicated in his honor, which residents drive by every day. Located in a fitting spot, Cogill's memorial square can be found at the intersection of Church and Doane Streets in the Beechwood area of town, just down the street from his family home.

Chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee Glenn Pratt provided the Mariner with the information for this article. For more information on Peter Cogill or any of the Cohasset veterans who have paid the ultimate price in the name of freedom, please visit the Cohasset Veterans Memorial Committee Web site at www.cohassetveteransmemorial.com.