Roger Peterson Killed in Crash
Tragedy Claims the Life of Cadet Week Before Graduation

Forest Cityans were shocked last Thursday evening to learn of the death of Roger Peterson, who died that afternoon at 3:30 while on a routine training flight north of the Douglas army air base flying field near Hereford, Arizona. The crash, from undetermined causes, cost his life and that of his roommate Aviation Cadet Phinney of Washington.

Roger Wilfred Peterson, son of Wilfred T. and Eleanor (Jones) Peterson, was born at the farm home east of Forest City, Iowa, in Mt. Valley township November 19, 1921, and passed away Thursday afternoon, May 13, 1943, at 3:30 o'clock at the age of 21 years, 5 months and 24 days.

Roger attended the schools of Mt. Valley township, and entered the Forest City high school in the fall of 1934. Throughout his high school years, he took a prominent part in the school's activities. In athletics, he played on the first team in football for three years and also was active in track. In the field of vocal music, he participated in the state music contests during all of the four years. Following his graduation in the spring of 1939, he attended Iowa State college at Ames for two years as a student in the school of chemical engineering. Throughout these years, as in the ones that have followed, Roger made friends wherever he was. His friendly and cheerful disposition made him a favorite with all; his outstanding qualities made him a leader among those with whom he came in contact.

In his training he was stationed first at Kelly Field at San Antonio, Texas, for his groung school work. From there he was transferred to Santa Ana, California, for further work in the ground school; to Tulare, California, where he received his primary training in the Rankin Aeronautical academy; to Lemoore army air base flying school, also in California, for his basic training; and then was sent to Douglas, Arizona, to the army air base for his advanced training. Here he had completed his maximum number of flying hours to receive his lieutenancy and would have received his commission and wings at exercises to be held Thursday morning, this week, May 20. The weekend of May 9th he had flown to Santa Ana, California, in an 19-plane flight formation to take the high altitude pressure chamber tests, which he passed, qualifying him to attend a Flying Fortress school.

On December 12, 1942, he was married to Miss Dorothy Thurston of Forest City at [?lare], California. She was one [cut off words] numerous aviation cadet [cut off words] who followed her husband [cut off words] various training bases.

He is survived by his wife; his parents; one brother, Herbert, and one sister, Janice; other relatives and a host of friends. One sister, Marion, preceded him in death in September 1924.

The body was brought to Forest City from Douglas air field accompanied by Aviation Cadet Donald Swanson acting as military escort. Roger was beloved by all of the nearly twenty cadets who have been together throughout their training. His departure brings sorrow into their hearts at this graduation time, as it does into the hearts of all of us, but his spirit lingers on to influence the lives of many.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, May 19, with brief service at the Hanson .... [cut off words] .... double mixed quartet, Mrs. R.T. Norvet, Mrs. W.H. Drewes, Mrs. Ben Anderson, Mrs. C.G. Webb, Emory J. Oleson, Eldean Drewes, Dr. C.H. Potter and Elmer Brooker, accompanied by Mrs. L.D. Prewitt, sang "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" and "Abide With Me".

The floral tributes were many and beautiful; the sum of gifts for missions, the Red Cross and hymnals in his memory was large, and the church was filled to overflowing - all evidences of the high regard with which Roger was held in this community. A loud speaker was used in the basement for the many gathered there unable to be seated in the main auditorium.

Those who served as pall bearers were Alvin Meinecke, Victor Gustafson, Jack Nelson, Reuben Moen, Kenneth Hanna and Robert Johnston. The American legion conducted military rites at the grave. Burial was made in Oakland cemetery.

~newspaper clipping, Mason City, Iowa newspaper
~contributed by Ken Moen, second cousin of Roger Peterson

 

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