Biography

Peter Lee Tancredi was born on 12 May 1946 to Pasquale and Dora Tancredi. Peter grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, and was a 1964 graduate of Classical High School, where he was an outstanding student and participated in many school activities. He entered the University of Rhode Island in September 1964, majoring in biology/sociology. He participated in the Army ROTC Program for four years and was a member of National Society of Scabbard and Blade. He was designated a “Distinguished Military Graduate” and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Medical Service Corps, United States Army, upon graduation from URI in May 1968.

Lieutenant Tancredi’s company grade assignments were the Army Medical Department Basic Course, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Personnel Officer (S1), 95th Evacuation Hospital, Vietnam. The 95th Evacuation Hospital, known as “Hells Half Acre,” bore some of the heaviest burdens of war during the Vietnam conflict. These were the physicians, nurses, medics, other healthcare providers, and the helicopter pilots who led the dangerous missions of flying the wounded out of battle and to the Army’s 95th Evacuation Hospital. The 95th was not only an evacuation hospital but trauma surgical hospital as well.

The 95th was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for meeting both military and civilian demands for medical support placed upon them. The 95th provided direct medical support for over 35 major military operations and extended its medical base to include medical specialties found in few other hospitals in Vietnam. The remarkable proficiency and devotion to duty displayed by the members of the 95th are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. 1LT Tancredi’s performance of duty significantly contributed to the success of providing combat medical support to our soldiers in Vietnam.

As a result of his past performance, Captain Tancredi was selected to command the 581st Medical Company (Ambulance), 31st Medical Group, 7th Medical Brigade, U.S. Medical Command, Europe. Upon completion of a very successful command, Captain Tancredi was selected as the 31st Medical Group Adjutant/Personnel Officer where he provided top-level personnel management support to all the soldiers of the 31st Group.

Upon graduation from the Army Medical Department Officer Advanced Course, Captain Tancredi was initially assigned as the Administrative Officer, Health Care Operations, and later as Assistant Executive Officer, Office of the Surgeon General, Washington, DC. Major Tancredi assumed the duties as the Assistant to the Chief, Medical Service Corps. He became responsible for recommending policies, initiatives and actions at the Department of Army level concerning the technical supervision, assignment, education, training and professional development of over 5,000 commissioned and warrant officers in the Army Medical Department.

After an outstanding tour in the Office of the Surgeon General, LTC Tancredi had multiple key staff assignments: Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Washington, DC, and as Inspector General, Letterman Army Medical Center, Presidio of San Francisco, CA. LTC Tancredi took the lead in preparing the Medical Center for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations accreditation survey. As a result of LTC Tancredi leadership, planning and team work, the Letterman Army Medical Center received one of the highest ratings ever awarded.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Expert Field Medical Badge, as well as theater medals and ribbons for Vietnam service. He was selected as an Outstanding Young Man of America, Army Medical Department Order of Military Merit and the Association of Military Surgeons-Outstanding Healthcare Administrator. He is a graduate of the Armed Service Staff College and received his MA in Management from George Washington University.

Upon retiring from the U.S. Army, Peter Tancredi was selected to be the Assistant Medical Services Administrator, San Diego County, managing California’s second largest law enforcement organization. He was later selected as the Budget, Contracting and Finance Manager, Federal Court, California’s Southern District in its Probation Office managing a $20 million annual budget. There he was given two of the court’s highest achievement awards for his dedication to the rule of law and dedicated public service; the U.S. District Court Southern California Spirit Award and U.S. District Court Special Service Award.

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lee Tancredi is a member of the URI Alumni Association and URI Foundation. In retirement, he continues to serve our soldiers and veterans as a volunteer at the San Diego Veterans Connect Resource Center assisting veterans to obtain housing & food, medical care, education and VA benefits. LTC Peter Tancredi and his wife LTC Susan Tancredi, U.S. Army, Retired, are long-standing supporters of the University of Rhode Island Army ROTC Program. Together, they established a scholarship for an Army ROTC Cadet who wishes to obtain a commission and pursue a career in the U.S. Army Medical Department.

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lee Tancredi has spent his entire life serving his community and nation during peace and war. His exemplary devotion to duty, personal bravery and outstanding leadership are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the University of Rhode Island.