Sgt. Peterson was born here May 8, 1921, the son of the late Magnus Peterson and Hazel George Peterson. His father was a veteran of World War 1, and died in April 1944, just four months before his son died in action. Marvin graduated from the Oconto Falls High School in 1940, and enlisted in Company C of the Oconto National Guard in October of the same year. He received his basic training at Camp Grant, Ill., with an infantry unit of the 32nd division. The young man died a heroic death under fire, giving his life while trying to save a comrade.
In January 1943, he was cited for bravery "beyond the call of duty" when he, with a few others swam the swift Konombi river in daylight, and fastened a rope to the shore which enabled a platoon to establish a bridgehead. He developed a tropical fever soon after that and he was hospitalized in Australia. Released from the hospital, he suffered a broken jaw while playing basketball and shortly after had a relapse of fever which hospitalized him again until June of that year. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Citation of Merit and the Purple Heart.
Besides his mother, he is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Richard Driggs, of Oconto Fall, Mrs. I. Bennett, Jr., of Long Beach, Calif., and Mary Jean at home. Five brothers, Miles of Milwaukee, Gerald of California, with the Navy, and Lester, James, Billy and Bobby at home.