Info Sheet - Obit for James M. Peterson
Born 10 April 1927 - Deceased 3 February 2020
See COL Hendry's letter - and emails from his friends
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Lynn Peterson Mobley (daughter)
Feb 5, 2020, 8:14 AM
Dear Bruce,
We have to tell you that our father passed away very early in the morning on Monday. 3 Feb 2020.
He had been in an increasing amount of pain for the past month or two, and had 24-hour care, so he was not alone when it happened.
He remained himself until the end, insisting on having things his own way. He was very stoic. He finally decided he had had enough, and stopped eating or drinking, which enabled him to die.
He has left a huge vacuum, of course. But he is no longer suffering, and we can be happy for that.
We believe we are going to have a ceremony in Cincinnati in either April or June, hoping that some maybe a few of the Centaurs will be able to attend. He will be in the mausoleum where his parents and brother are, and down the hill from his other brother who is in the same cemetery.
So, he would have been 93 in April. Not a bad run. He had a mostly very happy life, as you know, and his last years were spent in a place where he was a well-liked and cheerful personality, which was a blessing.
I will let you know when the memorial in Ohio will be. We really would like to see a few people there from your time in Viet Nam so don't want to plan it at a time when any mini-reunions might be planned. Perhaps there could be one then?
In any case, your next reunion will take place about ten miles from my house, so maybe we can see you all then. Best wishes, Lynn Mobley
Bruce Powell: Lynn, He was one tough guy! His gift of inspirational leadership helped to form the positive character of so many soldiers. We will celebrate his life.
Frank Dillon: This saddens me. Col Pete and a son attended the 2012 mini reunion in Manhattan, KS. That was the first reunion of any kind that I attended and I knew no one. It was a small group (10 Troopers or so) and easy to get to know a little about everyone. I was uncomfortable and I guess Col Pete recognized that. We talked quite a lot. He told stories about the time he spent at Ft Riley and such. One can’t get to know anyone well in three days, but I left with a tremendous amount of respect for him, and wish I’d had an opportunity to visit with him again.
Letter
COL John B. Hendry 3/4 Cav Squadron Commander 1965-66:
Jim was a fine leader who commanded Troop D (Air Cav), 3/4 Cavalry, 25th Inf Div in Vietnam 1966 -1967. He organized, equipped and trained the troop (which was but a skeletel unit in Hawaii)
When the people arrived in Vietnam with the 25th Aviation Battalion in April 1966 and the 26 helicopters came in to Vung Tau the troop became an elite unit which superbly executed all missions including those of the organic Long Range Recon Patrol led by the late CPT Mark Ponzillo.
He later commanded another elite organization, the 1/9th Air Cav Squadron of the 1st Cav Div in Vietnam Jan to Jun 1969.
RIP Centaur Six