PETERSEN DARWIN A

COL Darwin A. Petersen was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 06/02/2008 at the age of 76.7 from Cancer
Hampstead, NC
Date of Birth 09/18/1931
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with A/227 AHB 1 CAV
This information was provided by SSN search 090108

More detail on this person: Darwin A. Petersen, Col. USA Ret passed away on the 2nd of June ,2008, after a two year battle with Cancer. He served 26 years on active duty and is buried at Arlington.

His wife Rosemary resides in Hampstead, NC.

When I called his residence the first time the Maj's voice was still on the answering machine. I hoped that when I called back this afternoon he would answer the phone. Mrs. Peterson answered and we had a nice talk. She spoke fondly of the Maj and Alpha Company. I talked with her about Maj. Pete's leadership and bravery. She said how proud "They" all were of his Silver Star. I remember how hung over he was the morning after his DEROS "PUMA" party when Gen. Tolson pinned the Silver Star on the tunic of his jungle fatigues. Screech seemed to have that effect on all of us. I wasn't with Alpha Company when the Project Delta Mission went down, what I heard about it was astounding.

Maj. Pete and Clyde French leading the CAV into the Ashau and LZ Tiger is something I will never forget.

I also won't forget the night ( about # 15 in country) when Joe Potvin talked me into pointing a Chunker into the air behind our tent and pulling the trigger. " It'll be OK because the round is shaved down to just the primer" Yea right. Minutes later I was standing at attention in the presence of Maj. Pete in his tent. He looked at me a minute, probably thinking that he had been saddled with another dumb ass teen age Warrant Officer. As he began chewing me a new one he did have a slight smile under his steel gaze. I left minus some pride, ego, rear end, and fortunately no Article 15.

Not long after that, after the Ashau, during an impact awards ceremony, Maj.Pete stood behind Gen. Tolsen as the Gen asked why my fatigues were brand new, This was the end of April, I Told him that I had graduated from flight school 13 Feb. The Gen and Maj. Pete exchanged glances and he pinned the award on me. I didn't deserve anything as Mike Dubberly had done all the work. As the Gen. turned towards Mike, Maj. Pete smiled at me and winked. That was the most important award I received.

Happy Trails.

From: Bob

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024