William Clarence Petersen

September 10, 1907 - February 1, 1976
T SGT US Army

Enlistment April 28, 1942
Discharge October 24, 1945

William was inducted into the Army in 1942. He trained at Camp Crowder, Missouri, before he was transferred to a camp near Leesville, Louisiana, with the Signal Corps. He served in the European Theater of war (Battle of the Bulge) with the Ninth Army. Tech Sergeant Petersen was discharged in 1946.

Some online information found about Bill, but needs confirmation.
Bill left for Europe on October 14, 1944, and came back to the U.S on October 17, 1945.
He served in the 97th Signal Battalion, the 82nd (Airborne) Division, and the 8th Armored Division.

Sgt. Bill Petersen is here from Shreveport, Louisiana, spending a furlough with his wife and father.
Council Bluffs Nonpareil Council Bluffs, May 1, 1944

Manning Monitor article------ 1943

Is Now Corporal
Pvt. William Petersen of Manning has been advanced to the rank of Corporal at camp now near Leesville, La.
Bill is in the Signal Corps.

Writes To Former Boss
Mr. J. R. Hansen is in receipt of letter from Bill Petersen, a former employee. Excerpts from Bill's letter follow:
"I thought I'd drop you a line and let you know where one of your former grunts is. I left Camp Crowder Monday nite and got into this camp (Leesville, Louisiana) about six Tuesday nite. We joined an outfit from Fort Sam Houston, Texas that is out here on manouvers.

We're not very far from Camp Polk and about 12 miles from Leesville. It is a small place and mostly negroes. In fact I never knew there were so many till I came down this way.
"I have seen a lot of pine forests all through this state. I also saw my first oil wells and cotton fields The climate is hot during the but it gets very damp and cool at night."
Note: Bill's address is as follows Pvt. William C. Petersen U. S. Army Co. A. 97th Sig. Bnc/o Postmaster, Leesville, Louisiana.

Manning Monitor article------ 1944

Staff Sergeant Wm. Petersen of Lineville, La., is spending a 17-day furlough with his wife and his father, Chris Petersen.

Manning Monitor article------ 1945

"Hi, Sarg"
"Small world, isn't it!" said one Staff Sergeant as he walked up and shook hands with another Staff Sergeant.
The other Staff Sergeant, who was Bill Petersen of Manning, Iowa, heartily agreed as he shook hands with Elmer Schelldorf of Manning, Iowa.

The meeting took place somewhere in the European theater of war. Both Sergeants were with the Ninth Army but had never had the opportunity to meet until recently.
They were able to visit and talk over experiences for about an hour.

In Memory Of William Petersen

Born October 10, 1907 Lincoln Township, Audubon County, Iowa
Entered Into Rest February 1, 1976 Manning General Hospital Manning, Iowa
Age 68 years„ 3 months, 22 days
Services Held At Zion Lutheran Church Manning, Iowa Wednesday, February 4, 1976, 11 A.M.
Clergyman Pastor Edward F. Heinicke
Organist Dorothy Kusel
Interment Manning Cemetery
Casketbearers and Military Honors
American Legion Post No. 22
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3517 Manning, Iowa

Following the committal services all friends and relatives are invited far luncheon and fellowship to the Fellowship Hall of the church.

WILLIAM C. PETERSEN
William Clarence Petersen, 68, of Manning died here Sunday, February 1, at Manning General Hospital following a long illness. He was a former employee of the Manning Post Office.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, with the Rev. Edward F. Heinicke officiating. The V.F.W. and American Legion Posts of Manning will accord military honors at the Manning Cemetery. The Ohde Funeral Home of Manning is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Petersen was born October 10, 1907, in Lincoln Township, Audubon County, a son of Chris and Dora (Hagedorn) Petersen. He graduated from school here in 1927 and worked for Dultmeier Manufacturing Company at Manning. On July 11, 1942, he married Helen Wegner of Neosho, Missouri. He served in the European theater during World War II, and later was employed as a city route carrier at the Manning Post Office. He worked for the Post Office from 1949 to 1970.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the local posts of the V.F.W. and American Legion. For many years he played semi-pro baseball in this area.

Surviving are his wife and a daughter, Mrs. Terry (Kay) Odgen, of Denver.