Raymond Stanley Peterson

Raymond Peterson, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, enlisted in the Marine Corps on 6 November 1943. After boot camp and infantry school, he joined the newly-formed Fifth Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California, in January 1944. Peterson spent the next year training as an scout, and was added to the rolls of the R-2 (intelligence) section of the 26th Marines for the Iwo Jima operation.

On 14 March 1945, PFC Peterson and another Marine (probably PFC John N. Dahle) were detailed to search a cave for useful documents and information. As Peterson entered the cave, the other Marine stayed outside on guard; they could not see each other, but were within speaking range. A shot rang out, and the guard Marine called for help. Two more Marines (probably PFCs Charles D. Allen and Lawrence K. Ledford, scouts assigned to HQ/3/26th Marines) rushed over and saw blood pooling on the floor of the cave. Peeking inside, they saw stairs descending into the darkness, with a blood trail leading down. Peterson had been shot at point blank range, and his body dragged away into the cave.

After what must have been a difficult debate, the three survivors concluded that any attempt at rescue or recovery was beyond their capabilities. The cave was placed under guard, and ultimately blasted shut by other American troops. Statements from Dahle, Allen, and Ledford were considered as confirmation of Peterson’s death on the day of the incident.