PETERSON, Douglas Eugene 1949-1975

PETERSON, DAVIS

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 5/10/2010 at 21:28:19

Fairfield Ledger
Monday March 10, 1975

Douglas PETERSON - Viet Veteran Dies

Douglas Eugene PETERSON, 25, 604 S. Fourth St., a veteran of the Vietnam War, died Sunday at 4:15 a.m. at Veterans Administration Hospital in Iowa City.

PETERSON suffered severe wounds while serving with the U.S. Army in Vietnam on Oct. 1, 1969. A paraplegic, he had been in failing health since that time.

Services will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Raymond Funeral Home with Pastor Dean Berg officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

PETERSON was born May 19, 1949 in Fairfield, the son of Darrell and Fayelda PETERSON. He was reared and educated in this community.

He entered the U.S. Army Nov. 18, 1968, receiving his training at Fort Polk, La. He was serving with the Third Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, when he was wounded.

PETERSON held the Purple Heart Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. The latter award was made for heroism in ground combat on July 12, 1969.

PETERSON was a member of the Lutheran Church, the Texas Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Fairfield.

Surviving are his parents; two sisters, Julia, Houston, Tex., and Karen, at home. Other survivors are the following grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira DAVIS and Mrs. Clarence PETERSON, all of Fairfield; and a nephew, Chad, of Houston. One grandfather preceded him in death.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to this family. Transcribed as part of a project to honor those Jefferson County residents who served in Vietnam and are buried in Jefferson County, Iowa.

Note: Buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, Iowa; 5th.080