Peterson Edward Jerome, Jr.

Monuments

437th Troop Carrier Group Plaques

C-47 42-100801 and 42-108884 Crash Monument

Name:

Edward Jerome, Jr. Peterson

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

Unit:

86th Troop Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group

Date of Death:

1944-09-17

State:

Pennsylvania

Cemetery:

Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Kentucky

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

13-14

Decoration:

Comments:

Edward Jerome Peterson, Jr. was born on May 12, 1915 in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Edward Jerome Peterson and Edna Smith Peterson. He served in the 86th Troop Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group as a First Lieutenant during World War II.

Navigator of the C47 #42-108884, the crew was engaged in a supply mission when the aircraft was shot down by German flak while flying over The Netherlands. Flying above an enemy territory on September 17, 1944, the plane was struck in the right wing by antiaircraft fire, as well as taking damage to the cockpit. After catching on fire, the plane lost control and crashed in Bladel, the Netherlands. Four crew members were killed; only SSGT Bela Benko survived. 1LT Peterson is buried in the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA. Together in the same grave are 1LT Gilmore, SSGT Golden, 1LT Peterson, SSGT Rice, and 2LT Thomas.

Crew of C47 #42-108884:
Lt Col Ralph E Lehr, Sr - Pilot and 86th Squadron Commander
Capt Phillip F Uhlenbrock - Co-pilot
1st Lt Edward J Peterson, Jr - Navigator
SSgt James B Rice - Radio Operator
SSgt Bela Benko - crew chief, sole survivor

Source of information: www.findagrave.com