Marvin Adrian Peterson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Photo 1: Marvin Peterson in basic training, Camp Roberts, CA, July 1943 Photo 2: Mr. Peterson, his brother, and other pairs of twins from Duluth at Camp Roberts, CA, 1943. Photo 3: Mr. Peterson, his brother, and other Duluth twins sent to New Guinea.
Mr. Peterson served in World War II in the Pacific Theater.
He served in the U.S. Army. He was inducted on January 26, 1943, and he entered into active service on July 11, 1943, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He went to Camp Roberts, California, on July 11, 1943, for basic training for 17 weeks. He was assigned to Battery A, 147th Field Artillery Battalion. He was separated on January 9, 1946, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.
His rank was Staff Sergeant. He was a Supply Sergeant 821.
Mr. Peterson was born in 1924 in Solway Township, St. Louis County, Minnesota, the son of Verner A. and Ruth J. Peterson. He graduated from Proctor High School in 1942.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall Veteran History Form; veteran’s account (see below)
Battles and campaigns: New Guinea, Luzon, Southern Philippines
Decorations and citations: Purple Heart HQ 33D Sh USASOS APO 365, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Ribbon with Bronze Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Wounds received in action – Southwest Pacific Theater
Went to Fort Ord, California, for one month, then to Camp McDowell, California, and departed for overseas service. Sailed on the Monticello (a converted Italian cruise ship) out of Angel Island, San Francisco Bay. There were approximately 5,000 men on the ship, and it sailed for 18 days before Christmas 1943, destination Milne Bay in New Guinea.
From Milne Bay went to Finchaven, New Guinea, for a short period in preparation for landing at Wakde Sarmi on the north side of New Guinea.
The landing on the beach at Wakde Sarmi of equipment and men was accomplished with LSTs [landing ship, tanks]. The campaign lasted a couple of months, rest camp included.
From Wakde Sarmi, the 147th Field Artillery, after being relieved by the 6th Army, continued on to the Noemfoor Operation. This operation lasted from July until December 1944. Then they left for Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, the Philippines. Here in January 17-23, the 147th was engaged in many skirmishes with Japanese infiltraters and suffered heavy losses. Mr. Peterson was injured on January 19. He recovered in Hollandia for about two weeks. From January to July 1945, he spent time in several replacement camps and then made it back to the 147th in Legaspi.
The 147th was planning to land in Japan when the war ended. They did occupation duty in Japan from October until the end of December 1945. They then traveled to Fort Lewis, Washington, and then made their way to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. They arrived on January 9, 1946, for separation.
