Peatross was then ordered to San Diego, California, and assigned to the newly activated 2nd Marine Division under Major General Clayton B. Vogel.

During the raid, he led a reinforced squad of a dozen Raiders in one of 18 rubber boats off one of two U.S. submarines, but did not receive word on a change of plan in the landing area.

Peatross distinguished himself during that action on August 17–18 and received Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.

[5]The 2nd Raider battalion was then ordered to Espiritu Santo for rest and reequipment and Peatross was promoted to the rank of captain and appointed company commander.

[6] Peatross was promoted to the rank of major at the beginning of 1944 and ordered back to the United States, where he attended the Command and Staff School at Quantico.

He sailed with his regiment as the part of 5th Marine Division under Major General Keller E. Rockey to Hawaii in October 1944 and after another four months of training, they headed for Iwo Jima.

For his service on Iwo Jima, Peatross received the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and also his second Navy Presidential Unit Citation.

[7][1][8] Following Iwo Jima, 28th Marines sailed back for Hawaii in order to prepare for Invasion of Japan, but the surrender of the Empire at the beginning of September 1945 changed the plans.

The 28th Marines were ordered back to the United States for deactivation in December and Peatross returned to Quantico, Virginia as an instructor with the Tactical Section, The Basic School, for the next three years.

[2] Peatross was transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky in summer 1949 and served as the Amphibious Warfare Instructor at the United States Army Armor School.

[5][2] He was ordered back to the United States in February 1954 and assumed duties at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., as assistant head, Officer Procurement Branch, Personnel Department.

Peatross deployed his command post in those positions from which he could personally direct the attack with disregard for the constant enemy small arms and mortar fire to which he was subjected.

[9] Peatross later held additional duty as chief of staff, Task Force Delta under Brigadier General Jonas M. Platt and commanded his regiment during the Operations Utah and Texas.

[5][10] Upon his return to the United States, Peatross reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he was appointed head, Training Branch, Operations Division (G-3) and following his promotion to the rank of brigadier general on November 3, 1966, he was appointed director, Management Analysis Group, Office of the chief of staff, Headquarters United States Marine Corps.

[5]While stationed at Headquarters Marine Corps, General Peatross was ordered to Harvard University to attend the Advance Management Program, Graduate School of Business Administration, during September–December 1966.

"[11] A complete list of the general's medals and decorations include:[5] Peatross, Oscar F. Bless 'em All: The Raider Marines of World War II ; REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY (1995).