Peers, often referred to by his middle name "Ray" by close associates, was born in
Stuart, Iowa, in 1914 and raised in
Covina, California. He attended the
University of California, Los Angeles, where he was president of the
Sigma Pi fraternity chapter and was a member of the
Bruins' football, wrestling, and rugby teams. He was also a member of Blue Key and a captain in the
ROTC. He graduated with a degree from the College of Education in 1937. He received a regular Army commission in 1938 after spending a year in the army at the
Presidio. After receiving his commission, he was assigned to the
First Infantry Regiment in
Ft. Francis E. Warren, Wyoming. At the time, the 1st Regiment was a test unit for new equipment, tactics, and organization. Based in the Central Highlands, The I Field Force comprised some of the most aggressive American formations in Vietnam, including the
1st Cavalry Division,
101st Airborne Division and the
173rd Airborne Brigade. Peers also coordinated the operations of four South Vietnamese and the two elite South Korean divisions sent as that country's contribution. Under his leadership, allied troops decisively but controversially, defeated Viet Cong guerrillas and NVA regulars in the battles of
Dak To in November 1967, and
Duc Lap in August 1968. Two hundred and seventy eight American soldiers were killed taking hill 875 that the NVA eventually evacuated (hill 875, Dak To). In 1969, Peers was ordered by
General Westmoreland to investigate the
Mỹ Lai Massacre, being selected because of his reputation for fairness and objectivity. In 1970, Peers issued a report on the incident.
Hugh Thompson, who, along with his helicopter crew, were the only soldiers who attempted to stop the massacre, said of the Peers report: Peers died at the age of 69 on 6 April 1984, of a
heart attack, at
Letterman Army Medical Center at the
Presidio of San Francisco. ==Books published==