LESTER NORMAN PETERSON was born on 11 September 1913 in Akeley, Hubbard County Minnesota. He was the sixth of seven children born to Axel Gottfred and Dagny Adele "Dana" Soli (Jacobson) Persson. Lester's six siblings were Violet Lillian, Owen L., Marguerite L., Dana Cordelia, Norma Evelyn, and Robert Axel Eugene Peterson. Axel was born in Sweden. He emigrated to America in May 1892. Shortly after arriving in the United States, Axel changed his surname from Persson to Peterson. Dagny was born in Norway. She emigrated to America in company with her father, Christian Soli Jacobson, in 1900. She and Axel were married 01 Jan 1902 in Akeley, Hubbard, MN.

Axel worked for the Great Northern Pacific Railroad as a bridge and railroad car carpenter and crewman for many years. When the turmoil of the Great Depression began, Axel and Dana had 3 children at home. Norma was employed as a clerk and Lester attended Brainerd high school. The youngest child, Robert, was only six years old. Lester was the next child to leave when he enlisted in the US Navy in 1934. Several years after Lester left for the military service tragedy struck the family twice in 1936. Dana Peterson died unexpectedly on 21 May 1936. Next, her daughter, Norma, took ill and died on 05 Dec 1936.

Like so many youth of his day, Lester was anxious to learn a trade, travel and find adventure. And, like many of his contemporaries, he was lured to the opportunities and steady paycheck of the US military services. Lester traveled nearly 60 miles to the closest navy recruiting station (NRS) in Saint Cloud, MN, There Lester secured an enlistment application in the early summer of 1934. He completed the preliminary entrance examinations; submitted personal references; completed administrative paperwork and passed background checks. After he was accepted for enlistment, Lester was put on a pre-enlistment waiting list.

He was notified to be in the regional navy recruiting station (NRS) in Minneapolis, Hennepin, MN on 13 Sept 1934 (2 days after his 21st birthday), to complete his final exams (physical and dental) before enlistment. He completed those exams successfully and was sworn into the US Navy for six years at the starting rate of Apprentice Seaman (AS) later that day. After being sworn into the Navy, Lester boarded the train for the almost 400 mile trip to the Navy Training Station (NTS) Great Lakes, Illinois for about 12 weeks of basic training. His navy service number (NSN) was: 328-36-64.

After AS Peterson completed recruit training, he was granted a short leave period to return home to visit family and friends. Upon the expiration of that leave, he returned to NTS Great Lakes for assignment to either a navy service class A school or to a ship of the US Fleet. He was assigned to a ship where he rapidly progressed through the ranks as a Gunner’s mate striker then as a Gunner’s Mate Third Class (GM3c). GM3 Peterson was assigned to the destroyer, USS Truxtun (DD-229) on 11 Mar 1938. The following year, GM3 Peterson transferred on 26 Apr 1939 to the destroyer tender, USS Altair (AD-11) as a passenger for further transfer (FFT) to the destroyer, USS Perkins (DD-337) for duty. Truxtun steamed out of San Diego on 27 April bound for the US East Coast (Truxtun was wrecked off Newfoundland in a gale on 18 February 1942 with the loss of most of her crew).

Peterson disembarked from Altair on 17 May 39 and reported on board Perkins later that day for duty. On 16 Feb 40, GM3 Peterson advanced in rate to Gunner’s Mate Second Class (GM2c). Peterson transferred on 31 Aug 40 to the Receiving Ship (RS) in San Diego via the battleship, USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). On 7 Sep 40, Peterson reported to RS, San Diego to begin processing for discharge. On 27 Sep 40, GM2 Peterson was honorably discharged at the end of his enlistment (EE).

Peterson took several weeks off before deciding to reenlist in the Navy which he did on 16 Oct 40 in San Diego at the same rate (GM2). After waiting for an assignment at the RS, San Diego, GM2 received orders to report to the destroyer, USS Craven (DD-382) for duty on 26 Nov 40.

With the winds of war between the United States and Japan blowing ever harder by late 1941, the Navy Department was hurriedly attempting to fill manning shortages in the Asiatic Fleet in anticipation of a conflict. In November 1941, GM2 Peterson received change of station orders to detach from USS Craven and report for assignment to Asiatic Station in Manila, Philippines. On 20 Nov 1941, Peterson detached from Craven and reported on board the transport ship, USS Chaumont (AP-5), as a passenger.

Chaumont steamed out of Honolulu on 29 Nov 1941 bound for Manila. Not long after clearing the harbor, Chaumont joined what has become known as the Pensacola convoy. It would be an epic voyage.

The flagship of the convoy was the troop transport, USS Republic (AP-33). The convoy, generally known as the Pensacola Convoy for its escort ship, the heavy cruiser, USS Pensacola (CA-24) (also seen by the US Army as the "Republic Convoy"), included the gunboat, USS Niagara (PG-52), US Navy transports USS Republic (AP-33), USS Chaumont (AP-5), the US Army transport (USAT) Willard A Holbrook and USAT Meigs; as well as, US Merchant ships S.S. Admiral Halstead and S.S. Coast Farmer, and the Dutch merchant ship MS Bloemfontein.

On board ships in the convoy were 2600 US Army Air Forces personnel. On the Bloemfontein were eighteen crated Curtiss P-40 pursuit planes of the 35th Pursuit Group (PG) while forty-eight pursuit pilots of the 35th PG were embarked on the Republic and thirty-nine newly graduated but as yet unassigned pilots were on board the Holbrook. The presence of these planes and pilots would impact the destiny of the seaplane tender, USS Langley (AV-3), and the USS Edsall (DD-219). After war broke out, and Japanese forces attacked the Philippines, the convoy was diverted first to Suva, Fiji Islands.

The convoy got underway on the 16th bound for Brisbane, Australia. Pensacola entered the harbor at Brisbane on 22 Dec 1941 and moored at Newstead Wharf. On the afternoon of 28 Dec, Pensacola, along with transports Chaumont and USAT Willard A. Holbrook got underway.

On 2 Jan 1942, the Dutch ship MS Bloemfontein rejoined the convoy. The following morning (03 Jan 42) the convoy made passage through the Torres Strait above Cape York in far North Queensland, Australia. There they were joined by the heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) and several destroyers. Houston relieved Pensacola as the convoy heavy escort, and with her destroyers and convoy ships proceeded to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. Pensacola returned to Brisbane.

Chaumont dropped anchor in Port Darwin where Peterson disembarked on 10 Jan 1942 and reported to the Commander, Destroyer Squadron 29 (CDS-29) on board the destroyer tender, USS Black Hawk (AD-9) for assignment. Later that day, Peterson was assigned to duty on board the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226).

Peary had anchored at Port Darwin at 0840, 03 Jan 1942 after a 2100 mile plus harrowing transit from Manila, Philippines to Darwin, Australia. Within a week of arriving at Darwin, twenty-eight enlisted men and officers became ill with a virulent form of Malaria or Dengue Fever, contracted when the ship anchored off remote Maitara Island near Ternate in the Halmakeras. It was necessary to stop there to make repairs after having been mistakenly identified as a Japanese ship by Australian aircraft who then attacked. Eventually eight men would die from the diseases.

Peary received tender availability services from USS Black Hawk (AD-9) to affect temporary repairs and make her seaworthy. Those repairs were completed on 22 Jan 1942. Peary assumed submarine escort duties on numerous occasions. She was an anti-submarine escort for USS Langley (AV-3) from Darwin to Fremantle, Australia between 08-13 Feb 1942 and she steamed with USS Houston escorting a Darwin-Koepang convoy from 14 to 18 Feb 1942. She also searched for a submarine contact which reduced her fuel supply such that she had to return to Port Darwin to refuel.

Returning to Port Darwin, Peary anchored in the harbor about 0100, 19 Feb 1942. About 1045, Port Darwin came under attack by a combined Japanese carrier and land base force of over 200 fighters and bombers. Peary was hit by five bombs. The fifth bomb, an incendiary, exploded in the after engine room opening the ship to the sea. Peary sank, stern first with her anti-aircraft guns still firing while she sank.

Eighty-eight officers and men including the commanding officer were killed in her sinking; 57 survived, 20 of whom were wounded. GM2 Peterson was believed to have gone down with his ship. He was listed as missing in action on 19 Feb 1942. On 14 April 1942, Mr. Peterson received a telegram from the Navy Department. It read in part; The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, Gunners Mate Second Class, Lester Norman Peterson, US Navy is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country.

The following year, Mr Axel G Peterson received a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, dated 17 March 1943. It read; "After a full review of all available information, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your son, Lester Norman Peterson, Gunners Mate Second Class, U.S.N., is deceased, having been reported 'missing in action' on the 19th day of February 1942, being a member of the crew and serving aboard the U.S.S. PEARY when that vessel was sunk in the port of Darwin, Australia. In accordance with Section 5 of Public Law 490, 77th Congress, as amended, your son's death is presumed to have occurred on the 20th of February 1943, which is the day following the day of expiration of an absence of twelve months. I extend to you my sincere sympathy in your great loss and hope you may find comfort in the knowledge that your son gave his life for his Country, upholding the highest traditions of the Navy. The Navy shares in your sense of bereavement and will feel the loss of his service."

Petty Officer Peterson was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp (bronze star in lieu of clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/one bronze star, US Army Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Defense Medal with one bronze service star, WWII Victory Medal, and the US Navy Combat Action Ribbon (retroactively).

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GM2 Peterson's father also received a personal commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads:

In grateful memory of Lester Norman PETERSON, who died in the service of his country at Darwin, Australia, ATTACHED U.S.S. PEARY, 20 February 1943 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives – in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

//s// Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States of America

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--489--

As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation).

By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.

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Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation

Establishing Authority

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.

For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.

Effective Dates:

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.

Criteria

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinarily meritorious service. The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to United States military personnel who participated in the following:

• World War II

Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.

Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.

All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.

Online: https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

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Primary Sources:

1) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

2) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

3) Various, WWII 78th Anniversary Commemorative Series; Combat Narratives, The Java Sea Campaign, Naval History and Heritage Command, U.S. Navy, Washington Navy Yard, DC. Reprint 2017. Online.

4) Deck logs USS Peary retrieved 15 November 2021. online.

5) Minnesota Historical Society, Birth Certificate Index online database: https://www.mnhs.org/people/birthrecords/1913-11348. Certificate Number: 1913-11348, Hubbard County, Minnesota. Birth: Lester Norman Peterson, September 11, 1913.

6) Wikipedia page, USS Peary (DD-226), Retrieved 12 November 2021.

8) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.

9) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports

10) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports

11) Several newspaper articles

12) Winslow, W.G., The Fleet The Gods Forgot: The U.S. Asiatic Fleet In World War II, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland. 1982.

13) Wikipedia page, Pensacola Convoy, Retrieved 20 Aug 2022.

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Link to USS Peary memorial in Darwin, Australia with list of names of those lost in the sinking of the ship. It's a cenotaph.

https://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/monuments_memorials/uss_peary_memorial.htm

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Bio#391 compiled on 21 Aug 2022 and updated 31 May 2025 by Gerry Lawton (G47)

Military Hall of Honor ID#156552

Find A Grave Memorial Page #243027906