World War II Honoree

Karl 'Karo' Peters

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Faxon, Oklahoma

Honored By

Brent Peters

Relationship

Son

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN 1941. SERVED AS A C-47 'SKYTRAIN' TRANSPORT PILOT IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 13TH TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON. HIS SQUADRON, NICKNAMED THE 'THIRSTY 13TH', HAD THE MISSION OF AERIAL TRANSPORT OF PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO FORWARD BASES IN THE SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREAS OF OPERATION. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORTHERN SOLOMONS, BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO, NEW GUINEA, WESTERN PACIFIC, AND LEYTE CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER AND 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS (8 AWARDS), AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER SERVICE STAR (5 CAMPAIGNS), AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HE ALSO RECEIVED A CITATION FOR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS IN AERIAL OPERATIONS. HE WAS, AT THE TIME, THE MOST DECORATED MEMBER OF THE 13TH TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF MAJOR AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.