George Wallace Peterson

From March 1943 to November 1945, Colonel Peterson served in the Army with the 10th Mountain Division. He trained with this special forces paratroop and ski unit in Colorado and Texas. He later served with the division in combat in Italy as a rifle squad leader and platoon guide during WWII. He was awarded the silver star and bronze star for his extraordinary heroism and bravery during this time.

After WWII, Colonel Peterson attended Boston University and graduated with a BA in History. It was there that he met Florence Peliquin on a bus, and it was love at first sight. They were married on January 21, 1950 and lived happily together for 61 years.

Colonel Peterson rejoined the army in 1950 as an infantry second lieutenant and was deployed to Korea soon after. He served in combat as a rifle platoon leader with the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was wounded in Korea and returned home to Fort Dix, NJ where he served as a company commander.

In 1951, Colonel Peterson moved to Monterey, California to attend a Russian language course. His daughter Pamela was born in Monterey in 1953. Colonel Peterson remained in the Army, and over the following years he and his family were stationed in a variety of locations including Fort Benning, Georgia; Berlin, Germany; Paris, France; Washington DC and Norfolk, Virginia. His assignments included a headquarters company commander of an infantry battalion, a rifle company commander, the Berlin command G-3 plans officer and assistant executive officer of the Intelligence Division in SHAPE in Paris.

After a tour in Vietnam with MACV J-2 in the Estimates Division, he returned to the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia as a faculty adviser. In 1970, Colonel Peterson assumed command of the USACDC Intelligence Agency at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was then assigned to Fort Huachuca, AZ where he continued to work with the Intelligence Agency. Colonel Peterson retired as Deputy Chief of Staff Intelligence US Army Forces Command at Fort McPherson, GA in 1979.

After 31 years of active service he retired to Tucson, AZ, where enjoyed many years with his wife Florence, daughter Pamela Schneider (James) and grandsons Matt, Brad and Luke Schneider. He was proud to see all three grandsons graduate from the University of Arizona.

Colonel Peterson's military decorations include the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

In addition to his military achievements, Colonel Peterson was an incredible athlete and champion handball player, winning many tournaments around the world. He was the best husband, father and grandfather any family could ask for. He was a brave man with a kind heart and very beloved by his family. He was also very compassionate towards animals and any donations to in his name to animal shelters would be greatly appreciated.

A memorial will be held in his honor at East Lawn Palms, 5801 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ on Thursday, July 14 at 2:00 PM.