---

In Memory of Marine Lance Corporal

Roger Allen Petersen

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Minnehaha County

February 8, 1947 - October 14, 1966

Died in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam

   

Roger Allan Petersen was born in Bradley, South Dakota on February 8, 1947 to Roy A. and Gladys M. (Herron) Petersen. Roger was an only child. He attended Longfellow and Horace Mann Elementary Schools, Patrick Henry Junior High and Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While in junior high he was a member of the basketball and football team. Roger was also a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and attended Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge for one year. He was a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol in Sioux Falls.

Lance Corporal Roger Petersen entered the Marine Corps from Sioux Falls, South Dakota in April 1964. He received his boot camp training at Camp Pendleton, San Diego, California and received specialized training in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended jump school and had amphibious training from Camp Lejune, North Carolina. Lance Corporal Petersen left the United States for Vietnam on June 16, 1966, attached to Company E, 3rd Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines.

On October 14, 1966, Lance Corporal Roger Allen Petersen was killed from multiple fragmentation wounds as a result of a grenade explosion. He was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Lance Corporal Petersen’s name can be found on Panel 11E, Line 074 of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

His father, Roy Petersen, said:

He loved the Marines. Roger would wear my “Ike” jacket every chance he could. He would spend many hours at the Marine recruiting office, and often would stay there until they closed for the day. He was doing what he wanted to do.

Brandy Whitley, 8th grade, Stanley County Middle School, Fort Pierre, South Dakota, April 17, 2006 respectfully submitted this entry. Roy Petersen, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, father to Lance Corporal Petersen, provided information.