ROCKWELL SOLDIER MISSING
OVER CHINA SINCE JAN. 12
Cpl. Raymond Peterson Was Tail Gunner
With "Famous Flying Tigers"
Cpl. Raymond Peterson, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Peterson of Rockwell, has been reported missing in action over China since Jan. 12, according to a telegram received from the war department. He was a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber with the 14th air force, known as the "Famous Flying Tigers."
Cpl. Peterson was 18 when he enlisted in the army air force and left for Keesler field, at Biloxi, Miss., Feb. 13, 1944, as a cadet, but was transferred to a reserve. He then decided to take up aerial gunnery and was sent to Laredo, Tex., where he was graduated and received his silver gunner's wings on June 30.
He was home in July on a short delay enroute to Westover, Mass., later taking further training at Charleston, S. Car., before going overseas in October.
The last letter received was dated Jan. 9. In it he stated that if everything went all right he would be home in the spring.
Raymond was engaged in farming with his father before his enlistment. He is a graduate of the Rockwell high school with the class of 1943.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Friday, February 16, 1945, Page 11 (photo included)
NOTE: Cpl. Peterson was declared deceased on January 13, 1946.
Cpl. Peterson is memorialized at the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart. He also has a cenotaph in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, IA.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
