My grandson was Cpl. Anthony Robert Peterson who served with the 101st Airborne from 2004 to 2012.

His father served in Korea in the Army and his Uncle in Vietnam. His Grandfather was in WW2 and an Aunt was a career Air Force Reserve retiree. His only and youngest brother is now in the Army at Ft Jackson, South Carolina and recently finished Basic Training.

Anthony completed 2 tours in Samarra and Kirkuk between 2005 and 2007 and was honorably discharged from active duty in 2009 with his reserve obligation being met in 2012. Anthony loved the service and many times stated that he wished he had stayed in. He missed his buddies, especially those he lost in both tours. It was a difficult transition from the army to college. He was unable to sleep most nights and when he could the recurring scenes of the war and his loss of friends who gave their all became too much.

He was attending college and worked as a lab tech in the automotive field and dated his high school sweetheart when he returned home. He was good-natured with a heart of gold and was everyone’s friend. He lost a brother to a motorcycle accident in 2007 and his father to an illness in 2009. It seemed with the loss of family and many close friends in the war that to sleep at night he needed alcohol to sleep for any amount of time.

Anthony was a PTSD casualty of the Iraq war and died on January 10, 2013. He hung himself in his bedroom. His alcohol content so high, that he could not have been aware of his actions. He could not have done this had he been in his right mind. He was so very proud of his service and so are we. Anthony has three siblings remaining, his sister Beth, an older brother Al and his youngest brother Joseph who is now serving at Ft Jackson with AIT.

The one respite from the war at the time was his guitar and the guys he played with and for. He never started anything he didn’t finish and he was very proud of his achievements. He was known as “Pete” in his platoon. He played guitar and helped a buddy still serving, write the song “Fallen Soldier”. His brother now has his guitar at Ft Jackson. Below are his achievements:

Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Medal
Global war on Terrorism Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal/with Campaign Star
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Combat Infantryman Badge
Air Assault Badge
Expert Marksmanship Badge w/Rifle Bar
Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver- Wheeled Vehicles Clasp

The U.S.Army manual has his picture on the cover and in many illustrations, as he was chosen for that issue of the “Charlie Company..2nd Battalion, 327″ Infantry No Slack” manual of Company Standard Operating Procedures. It was very difficult to recall much of this. He was my dearest grandson. Anthony R. Peterson is missed and loved by all who knew him.

Thank you for honoring his memory.
~ Grandmother Diane Brown Dutch

We are very grateful to Diane for sharing her beloved grandson’s personal story and service.

God Bless all who serve and keep us safe.

Veteran Tributes: www.facebook.com/ComesASoldierswhisper
Vietnam Letters: www.VietnamAndBeyond.com

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