World War II Honoree

Lester Petersen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Battle Creek, Iowa

Honored By

Battle Creek American Legion

249TH REGIMENT, 88TH BLUE DEVIL DIVISION; MOTOR SERGEANT IN A CANNON COMPANY THAT FOUGHT THROUGH NEARLY 300 DAYS OF COMBAT ON THE 5TH ARMY FRONT IN ITALY. BLASTING GERMAN EMPLACEMENTS CLOSE AS 20 YARDS TO FRIENDLY INFANTRY AND NEVER LOST A GUN. THE CANNONEERS FOUGHT THROUGH ROME, ACROSS THE ARNO RIVER, THROUGH GOTHIC LINE, INTO THE MOUNTAINS BEFORE THE PO VALLEY. ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY WEAR THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE FOR ACTUAL PARTICIPATION IN COMBAT WITH THE ENEMY.