I'll add here that the Deere dealer said NO-GO on the warranty replacement for a puncture. Maybe I'll send these photos to Deere and maybe they will armor the fuel tank, pump and other vulnerable items in the future so maybe this won't happen to someone else.
Apparently this is not too common according to my dealer. He said there are no service bulletins and only one other reported incident on the dealers web access page, in which Deere recommended a repair kit they sell for $30.00.
Oh well, live and learn.