PORT ANGELES — A Forks man who served in World War II has received the highest recognition of the French government: the Légion d’honneur, or Legion of Honour.
Oscar “Pete” Peterson, 93, received the medal from French consul Jack Cowan in a special ceremony at Peninsula College on Wednesday.
“His courage, faith and dedication contributed more than 70 years ago to defend and preserve the independence of France and to save our common values of freedom, tolerance and democracy,” Cowan said.
“I would like to extend this tribute to all his fellow soldiers during World War II and especially to all of those who did not make it back to their country and families.”
Peterson served as an Army medic with the 3rd Battalion of the 38th Infantry, 2nd Division.
“Second to none,” Peterson said in a recent interview.
He landed on Omaha Beach during the invasion of Normandy in June 1944 and helped liberate France from Nazi Germany at Normandy, Hill 192, the Battle for Brest, Battle of the Bulge and other campaigns.
“You are forever France’s hero,” Cowen told Peterson while reading from the medal citation.
“We the French people know exactly what we owe to the American people, to the military and to all of you personally. We will never forget your sacrifices to restore our freedom.”
The Legion of Honour was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.
It is awarded for extraordinary contributions to France.
“It’s the French tradition that we kiss him on both cheeks,” Cowen said, drawing a laugh from Peterson and others gathered in the Little Theater.
“I was just giving him a little heads-up not to be surprised.”
Joining Peterson on stage was Peninsula College President Luke Robins and Peterson’s grandson, Army Maj. Special Forces Michael Schaad.
The medal presentation followed a Studium Generale program that detailed Peterson’s background and West End values, his role in the war and his recent return to France to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
The program was put on by Peterson’s daughter, Glynda Schaad, who was one of eight family members who made the trip to Omaha Beach last June.
“The story that I’ll be presenting today is just one story,” said Schaad, a member of the Peninsula College English faculty.
“There are thousands of stories, and each one is special.”
Peterson was born in Forks in October 1921. He is the son of the legendary Minnie Peterson, who ran horse packing trips into the Olympic Mountains.
He was drafted into the Army while attending veterinary school at Washington State University.
Peterson trained in Texas, Wisconsin and Michigan before shipping out to Ireland and later South Wales in the weeks leading up to D-Day on June 6, 1944.
Shortly after the Normandy invasion, Peterson walked past the body of one of his best friends, Schaad said.
Medics were not exempt as enemy targets despite rules of engagement.
“Out of the original 32 medics in Oscar’s unit, two were killed, two were taken captive, and 25 were wounded in battle,” Schaad said.
“Oscar was one of the three men who dodged death and injury.”
Peterson and his unit saw 209 consecutive days of enemy fire and only 17 days without engagement in a span of nearly a year.
“As with communities throughout America, Forks lost several of its finest young men in this war,” Schaad said.
“Pete’s family was grateful that he had made it home. There were many others who were not so fortunate.”
After the war, Peterson returned to Sol Duc Hot Springs, the “hub of social life of the North Olympic Peninsula,” Schaad said.
Peterson married Wilma, his wife of 68 years, in 1946 and bought the family cattle farm with money he had saved up in the Army.
The Petersons had three children and nine grandchildren, all of whom earned college degrees.
Oscar Peterson also worked at a sawmill for about 40 years.
Last June, Peterson and other WWII veterans enjoyed a hero’s welcome in France.
For Peterson, one of the highlights was meeting U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, commander of the U.S. European Command and NATO’s supreme allied commander for Europe.
“I was impressed to meet a four-star general,” Peterson said in a Friday interview.
Peterson was reunited with 2nd Division servicemen, retraced his steps from Omaha Beach to Hill 192 and signed autographs for grateful French citizens young and old.
“Nothing could have prepared our family for the praises showered on Pete,” Schaad said.
“The people here have not forgotten the sacrifices that have been made by the U.S. and allies.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
