Neil A. Peters was born on September 14, 1921, in Madison, South Dakota to Mrs. Agnes Peters and Dr. C. E. Peters. Neil joined a large family of three brothers, Robert, Paul, and Carl, and two sisters, Mrs. R. G. Glood and Mrs. E. W. Nelson. Neil graduated from Viborg High School and Yankton College. Following his college graduation, Neil entered the air corps in February 1943, and he was in the training process at the Army’s Bombardier School in Deming, New Mexico.

On January 18, 1944, Cadet Neil A. Peters lost his life when two planes from the Army’s Bombardier School collided killing five, including Cadet Peters, and injuring five more.

On January 19, 1944, Mrs. Agnes Peters received this message:

Please let us offer you our heartfelt sympathy and sorrow in the loss of your son whose death occurred at our airfield. We want you to know that we share your loss and that we will remember you in our prayers. Your son died in the line of duty as much as if he had been in combat. You have made a great sacrifice in the giving of him to your county. May God bless you in our prayers.

Funeral services were held at the Baptist Church in Viborg, South Dakota. Prof. H. H. Savage of Yankton College officiated at the church service and military rites were conducted by students of the Sioux Falls Army Air Field.

At his time of death, Cadet Peters was survived by his mother, Mrs. Agnes Peters, three brothers, Robert and Paul, who were both in the Army, and Carl, who resided in Chicago, and two sisters, Mrs. R. G. Glood and Mrs. E. W. Nelson. His father, Dr. C. E. Peters, and one sister preceded him in death.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Ashley Clites and John Duncan, 11th Grade, Parker High School, Parker, South Dakota, April 30, 2002. Information for this biography was taken from Application for South Dakota Veteran’s Bonus and newspaper clippings.