In Memory of Navy Ensign
Clyde L. Peterson
Brentford, South Dakota
Spink County
June 19, 1921- July 22, 1943
Killed in Plane Crash in Texas
Clyde L. Peterson was born in Brentford on June 19, 1921. Clyde was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Peterson and was the middle of five sons, Dorman, Wilbur, Clyde, Dale, and James Peterson. Clyde graduated from Brentford High School and attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen. While at Northern, he was
elected to the Sigma Delta Epsilon Fraternity. Clyde married Miss Kathryn Mock at Nuptial High Mass on February 26, 1943. Kathryn continued to teach school until the end of the year and then joined Clyde in Texas.
Three months after the marriage, Kathryn and Clyde went on a vacation to Monterrey, Mexico. While on vacation the couple was approached by an agitated man who flipped a 9 by 13 card to the couple saying, "You are subject to a fine or prison sentence, or both for improper dress" Mrs. Peterson was dressed in shorts.
Clyde checked his pockets and wallets and said, "I wonder if the judge will take a Check.”
Clyde died on July 22, 1943 at Corpus Christi, Texas in a plane crash. At the time of his death, he was a USN Flying instruments instructor. His remains were returned to South Dakota and after a large, well-attended funeral mass, he was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Aberdeen. The Legion Post in Brentford, South Dakota, is named partly in Clyde Peterson's honor.
Clyde was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Peterson, his wife, the former Kathryn Mock, and his four brothers: Dorman, Wilbur, Dale, and James. Clyde will always be remembered for his love of flying and his love of music.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Jake Sanderson, 9th Grade, Conde High School, Conde, South Dakota, February 14, 2002. Information for this entry was provided by Kathryn Mock Peterson Sampson and Bernard Fischbach.
