Woman remembers brother’s sacrifice
CONNELLSVILLE – As Old Glory waves in the breeze today and veterans don the uniforms of long ago to march in their community Memorial Day parades, a Connellsville woman will remember the sacrifice her brother made more than six decades ago on a beach in France. The photographs of the lanky young soldier and the brief memories of her older brother, Victor E. Peterson, are held close to her heart every day, but especially on holidays honoring those that paid the ultimate sacrifice, said Dorothy Peterson.
“He died fighting for his country,” she said. “He died doing what he thought was right.”
Victor Peterson, a 1938 graduate of Connellsville High School, was one of the three sons born to Ora and Nellie Peterson that decided to join the military prior to the start of World War II.
Dorothy Peterson, the youngest of the seven children, said that with the three sons in Europe, the Peterson’s York Avenue home was very somber.
“It was very hard on our parents, especially my mother who was also caring for my father and two young daughters that were still at home,” she said.
Victor Peterson had joined the U.S. Army just prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was with the American troops when they made their first landing in North Africa in 1943.
While with the Headquarters Co. 16th Infantry Signal Corps, he garnered recognition for his heroism.
According to the Bronze Star citation, Peterson “disregarded heavy artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire, courageously made his way over hazardous terrain” to repair communication lines that had been severed by the enemy in El Guettar, Tunisia, on March 26, 1943.
“Private Peterson’s heroism exemplifies the finest traditions of the service,” states the citation.
“While there, he was wounded and needed an operation,” said Dorothy Peterson. “The injury probably was enough to allow him to come home; instead he left the hospital and joined his unit that had gone to England.”
Because of her young age at the time, Dorothy Peterson said that she has little memory as to whether her brothers were able to communicate with the family while overseas.
“There were so many young boys; friends of my brothers that lived nearby that decided to enlist,” she said. “It seemed every family had someone that was serving.”
On June 6, 1944, Peterson was among the thousands of troops that landed along the beaches in France.
According to 16th Infantry historical accounts of the landing, Peterson’s unit encountered heavy fire as it approached the beach.
“The fire became more intense as the boat unloaded; the last men to leave the craft, carrying heavy equipment, were mowed down by the enemy fire.
“The heavy sea and intense shelling of the beach made it impossible to save the equipment. Several men carrying wire on the free boat were wounded in the water. The men managed to bring the switchboard, phones, and several rolls of wire ashore. The radios that were carried ashore were put out of commission by small arms and MG (machine gun) fire,” states the account.
As he had done in Tunisia a little over a year before, Victor Peterson again distinguished himself as a hero. His actions, however, caused his death.
In an Aug. 15, 1945, letter to his parents, the War Department, on behalf of then President Harry S. Truman, wrote that because of their son’s actions, he was to receive the Distinguished Service Cross.
“As Pfc. Peterson’s landing craft touched shore on D-Day, it was subjected to devastating fire from heavy shore emplacements causing numerous casualties to men on board,” states the letter. “Voluntarily and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Pfc. Peterson plunged into the fire swept water and, assisted by a comrade, carried a heavy piece of vital communications equipment toward shore.
“When his companion was instantly killed by machine gun fire, Pfc. Peterson courageously and single-handedly dragged the heavy equipment through the mine-infested water.
“Midway to the beach, he was mortally wounded. With great determination, he continued forward and safely delivered the equipment upon the beach.”
The letter further states that Victor Peterson declined medical treatment for his wounds and instead went several times back into the water to bring his wounded fellow-soldiers to the beach.
“(Pfc. Peterson went) through heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire, and rescued wounded comrades until he collapsed upon the beach,” states the letter. “The self-sacrificing devotion to duty, personal bravery and fortitude displayed by Pfc. Peterson exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.”
According to Dorothy Peterson, her brother was the first Fayette County D-Day fatality.
“When they say that ‘war is hell’ it’s true,” she said. “When my mother received the telegram, she was devastated; we all were.
“He was my sister Helen’s favorite brother and I remember her just crying terribly.”
Eventually, her two other brothers, Roy and Jim Peterson, returned home.
Victor Peterson was laid to rest at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France.
“My mother said to let him rest where he died, so he was never brought home,” said Dorothy Peterson, adding that several family members have visited the burial site.
Today, as the nation honors the Petersons and all those that have served their country with memorial services, parades, picnics and family gatherings, Dorothy Peterson, too, will be paying tribute to her siblings and all that have worn and are now wearing a U.S. military uniform.
“We need to recognize their courage and their willingness to try to do the right thing,” she said.