World War II Honoree
Killed In Action
Eugene Peters
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Pawnee, Oklahoma
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1940, BEFORE THE UNITED STATES ENTERED THE WAR. TRAINED AND SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT CAMP BARKELEY AT ABILENE, TEXAS; AND CAMP PARAISO IN THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH COMPANY M, 3RD BATTALION, 158TH INFANTRY REGIMENT 'BUSHMASTERS' IN AUSTRALIA, NEW GUINEA, PAPUA, AND IN THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO. STATIONED AT PORT MORESBY, NEW GUINEA IN FEBRUARY, 1943 AND MOVED TO MILNE BAY, TERRITORY OF PAPUA IN MAY, 1943. HIS REGIMENT LANDED UNOPPOSED ON KIRIWINA ISLAND IN THE TROBRIAND ISLANDS OFF THE EAST COAST OF SOUTHERN NEW GUINEA ON JUNE 30, 1943. PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW GUINEA AND BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO CAMPAIGNS. HIS UNIT WAS ATTACHED TO THE 'DIRECTOR' TASK FORCE FOR OPERATIONS FROM NOVEMBER 25, 1943-MAY 20, 1944. HIS REGIMENT LANDED AT ARAWE, NEW BRITAIN ISLAND IN THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO ON DECEMBER 27, 1943 AND DEFEATED JAPANESE FORCES THERE BY JANUARY 17, 1944. HIS REGIMENT WAS THEN ATTACHED TO 'TORNADO' TASK FORCE BEGINNING MAY 21, 1944. HIS REGIMENT LANDED AT TOEM, DUTCH NEW GUINEA ON MAY 21, 1944 AND WENT INTO THE LINE AT THE TOR RIVER ON MAY 23, 1944 IN THE TOEM-WAKDE-SARMI SALIENT. PRIVATE FIRST CLASS PETERS WAS KILLED IN ACTION THAT SAME DAY DURING COMBAT OPERATIONS NEAR SARMI. POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.