Oren Lee Peters

Lieutenant Colonel Oren Lee Peters, US Army, was born 16 April 1921 in Edmond, Oklahoma. He enlisted into the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, Oklahoma US Army National Guard, 8 January 1939, and was a private first class when, in September 1940, the 45th was activated.

During World War II he served 511 days in combat in the European Theater of Operations, where he participated in eight major campaigns and four amphibious operations. When a private first class he was awarded the Silver Star; as a staff sergeant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. In addition he received the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. He was discharged 30 June 1945.

In October 1947 he again enlisted into the Oklahoma National Guard and was commissioned in June 1948. He served in the 45th Division in the Korean War in 1951 and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and a second Combat Infantry Badge. The states of Oklahoma and Arkansas twice awarded him the Minute Man Award for his performance of duty while an instructor at the National Guard Professional Education Center, Camp J. T. Robinson, Arkansas.

His service to the Boy Scouts, 179th Infantry Regiment and 45th Infantry Division Associations, Kiwanis International, Masonic Lodge and to his church, prompted his 1985 induction into the Edmond, Oklahoma Hall of Fame. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Central State Teachers College (now the University of Central Oklahoma).