(picture) (veteran)

Earl A. Petersen

Herman native Earl A. Petersen, 77, of Arlington, Va., died Aug. 23, 2008, at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington after a long illness.

A memorial service was held Aug. 27, at the Arlington Funeral Home in Arlington. Interment will be at a later date in the Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Earl Albert Petersen was born April 29, 1931, in Herman to Peter Albert and Laura Mae (Stokes) Petersen. He graduated from Herman High School and majored in military history at the University of Maryland.

On April 15, 1951, he married Betty Mae Claborn at the First Baptist Church in Blair.

Mr. Petersen was a Korean and Vietnam War veteran. He served two tours of duty in each conflict and retired with 30 years of service in the United States Army. He was very proud of his service with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and the 11th Air Assault Division in Vietnam.

In addition to his many assignments, he served five tours of the Infantry School in Fort Benning, Ga., and his last military assignment was teaching ROTC at Southwest Missouri University in Springfield. His military decorations included the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, five awards of the Air Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star. He retired from his second career as the Military District of Washington Retired Services Officer at Fort Myer, Va., in 1996, and received the Department of Army Commander’s Medal for Civilian Service.

Mr. Petersen was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Balboa, Panama, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a Shriner with the Abou Ben Adhem Temple in Springfield, Mo. He was also a member of Chapter 216, Order of Eastern Star in Herman. He was a life-long member of the Lutheran Church of America.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Mae; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Paul A. Petersen of Houston, Texas, and David Wayne and Linda Petersen of Boca Raton, Fla.; two grand-children; brother and sister-in-law, Curtis Dale and Marilyn Petersen of Carrolton, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Joline Petersen of Gulfport, Miss., and Neva Cross Petersen of Stroudsburg, Penn.; uncle and aunt, Earl and Doris Stokes of Blair; two aunts, Mardelle Stokes Wulf of Blair and La Verne Lacey Stokes of Fremont; and 39 Stokes first-cousins.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Donald Irvin, Ralph Dean and Clifford Allen Petersen.

Memorials are suggested to the Herman Community Church.