World War II Honoree

Robert James Peterson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Ironwood, Michigan

Honored By

Terry, Michael, Barbara & Nancy

Relationship

Children

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON AUGUST 27, 1942. CALLED FOR DUTY AS AN AVIATION CADET ON FEBRUARY 10, 1943 AND TRAINED AS A BOMBARDIER. ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON AUGUST 26, 1943 AS A 2ND LIEUTENANT BOMBARDIER WITH THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 2ND AIR DIVISION, 445TH BOMB GROUP, 700TH SQUADRON, ON A B-24 LIBERATOR (TAIL NUMBER 42-100374). DEPARTED THE U.S. ON DECEMBER 13, 1943 AND ARRIVED IN TIBENHAM, ENGLAND ON JANUARY 1, 1944. SHOT DOWN DURING 'BIG WEEK' ON FEBRUARY 24, 1944 AFTER BOMBING THE GOTHAER WAGGONFABRIK AG FACTORY IN GOTHA, GERMANY. HE BECAME PRISONER OF WAR NUMBER 3135 AT STALAG LUFT 1 IN BARTH, GERMANY IN THE SOUTH COMPOUND, BARRACKS 1, ROOM 10 UNTIL LIBERATION. DURING THAT TIME HE LOST 55 POUNDS OFF OF HIS 6'2, 200 POUND FRAME. HE ALSO SUFFERED FROSTBITE DUE TO THE LACK OF HEAT IN THE BARRACKS. RETURNED TO THE U.S. ON JANUARY 17, 1945. HE WAS DISCHARGED AS A 1ST LIEUTENANT ON JANUARY 16, 1946.