John M. Peterson was born October 7, 1916, at Viborg, Turner County, South Dakota to Peter and Ingaborg Peterson. He had two sisters, Francys and Phoebe, and two brothers, Leighton and James. John was raised and educated in the Viborg area. Before he entered the service, John worked at Glenn Johnson’s service station in Viborg.

On March 6, 1942, John entered active service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was trained at Fort Lewis, Washington, and Miami, Florida, before being sent overseas to the European theater on May 7, 1944.

Sergeant John Peterson was killed in action on August 1, 1944, in France. According to the War Department, John had first been reported as missing in action to his parents and later the designation was changed to killed in action.

John Peterson was 27 years old.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Sheila Hansen, Fallen Sons State Coordinator, Spearfish, SD. Information for this entry was provided by an application for a SD veteran’s bonus payment, the Argus Leader, and the Viborg Enterprise issue 9/7/44.