Peyton L. Wirtz
Born: January 6, 1907 at Baltimore, Maryland
Home Town: Mount Washington, Maryland
Navy Cross
World War II
U.S. Navy
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Peyton L. Wirtz, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Minesweeper U.S.S. ZANE (DMS-14), during operations in the Solomon Islands during the period 7 to 9 August 1942. While his ship was returning from delivering torpedoes and aviation gasoline to Tulagi, she was attacked by three Japanese destroyers. Lieutenant Commander Wirtz without hesitation engaged the enemy and inflicted considerable damage on the superior force before withdrawing to continue his voyage. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 320 (November 1943)