World War II Honoree

Paul Otis Peterson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Burdick, Kansas

Honored By

Wayne P. Peterson

Relationship

Son

WHEN PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT DREW THE FIRST NUMBER IN THE DRAFT (258), HONOREE WON ONE OF THE FEW DRAWINGS THAT HE EVER WON IN HIS LIFE. HE WAS A STENOGRAPHER FOR A GENERAL AT FORT MEADE, SOUTH DAKOTA BEFORE ATTENDING THE OFFICER CANDIDATE'S SCHOOL AT FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY. HE ALSO ATTENDED THE CAVALRY SCHOOL AT FORT RILEY, KANSAS BEFORE SHIPPING OVERSEAS. HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE CROSSING OF THE ENGLISH CHANNEL AS FRANCE WAS INVADED. ALL TOLD, HE SPENT 311 DAYS IN COMBAT. IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE HE, AS A TROOP COMMANDER, TOOK HIS TROOP INTO THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE AND ESCAPED WITH 36 MEN. HE WAS ALSO STATIONED IN NORTHERN FRANCE, NORMANDY, RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE AND ARDENNES. AFTER THE WAR WAS OVER HE SUPERVISED THE TOWN OF LANGENSALZA, GERMANY AND ALSO WAS AT THE LUCKY STRIKE CAMP IN FRANCE. HE WITNESSED THE HOLOCAUST AT CAMP BUCHENWALD. HE WAS GIVEN AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE AT FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS ON 12/31/45. HE WAS AWARDED FIVE BATTLE STARS INCLUDING THE PURPLE HEART AND THE BRONZE STAR.