World War II Honoree

Gilbert Leroy Peterson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Cokato, Minnesota

Honored By

Jack Peterson

Relationship

Son

ENLISTED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY ON DECEMBER 23,1943. HE WENT ON ACTIVE DUTY ON JANUARY 3, 1944 TO BOOT CAMP AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION, FARRAGUT, IDAHO, FOLLOWED BY 16 WEEKS OF BOILERMAKER'S SCHOOL AT NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. HE SERVED ON THE USS CAPRICORNUS AKA-57 FROM AUGUST 25, 1944 TO MAY 4, 1945 AND ON THE USS BELLE ISLE AG-73 FROM AUGUST 30, 1945 TO NOVEMBER 1, 1945. WHILE ON THE CAPRICORNUS HE PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASIONS OF LEYTE AND LINGAYEN IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND THE INVASION OF OKINAWA ON EASTER SUNDAY, 1945. WHEN SEPARATED FROM THE NAVY HE WAS A FIREMAN FIRST CLASS. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON DECEMBER 10, 1945.