Seaman Elmer M. Peterson
October 6, 1895 - April 12, 1979
US Navy
WWI
Elmer was born on October 6, 1895 to parents Peter Jensen and Anna (Heilesen) Peterson in Brookings County, South Dakota. He had four siblings, Matilda, Efra, Stanley and Florence. His family lived in and around the White, SD community his entire life.
On June 5, 1917 Elmer completed his Draft registration card and by July 12,1917 his number position was placed in the Brookings Register. Elmer was a Seaman US Navy.
After the war, Elmer returned to the White, SD area and continued farming with his father. In 1932, he married Katie Kor also from the White area. They purchased a farm in Argo Township, three miles west of White. Together, they raised a daughter, Evelyn and a son, Merlyn. Elmer was a member of the VFW and Zion Luthern Church. Elmer died on April 12, 1979 and is interred in the Fairview Cemetery, White, SD.
Dash Update: May 24, 2025 submitted by Allen Heiden (Elmer Peterson's grandson:
Elmer Peterson was involved with the construction of the radiotelegraph station at Croix d'Hins (Lafayette Station) near Bordeaux. He was part of the United States Navy High High Power Radio Detachment. This link will take you to a photo album created by Elmer and taken with his own camera:
http://aheiden.net/Elmer_Peterson_WWI_photos/
Seaman Duties - US Navy WWI
Fit pipes, make repairs in boilers. Know construction of marine boilers and fireroom safety precautions. Know all bugle and drum calls and honors rendered. Lead and instruct a corps. Play in a bugle and drum corps. Same duties as Boatswain's Mate and in addition, Master-at-arms.
Personnel below petty officer grade were termed "non-rated," and were divided by the navy into "seaman" classes, even though not all held the title of seaman. Seamen wore a "branch mark" around the right shoulder seam of their jumpers, white on blue uniforms and blue on white.
uniform-reference.net/insignia/usn/usn_enl_ww1.html
