Savannah, Georgia - Lieutenant General Ret. Edward Compston Peter, II, passed away November 12, 2008 after a long battle with emphysema. He was born in Washington, DC on May 8, 1929 to Edward Peter and Anita Phillips Smith Peter. The family lived on a farm in Montgomery County, Maryland and later moved to Miami, Florida.
From an early age, Edward planned a career in the U.S. Army. At age 18, he was appointed to West Point from Staunton Military Academy. At West Point, he became a Cadet Captain and commander of Company I-2. In 1951 he graduated from the US Military Academy and later received an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
In 1952 and 1953 he served in the Korean War as a platoon leader, company executive officer, assistant battalion S3, and battalion S2 in the 35th Infantry Regiment. He later commanded Company F, 188th Airborne Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Afterwards, he served on the faculty at West Point, becoming Assistant Professor of Thermodynamics.
In 1959, he was Commander, Company D, 2d Battle Group, 21st Infantry, in Hawaii. There he later served as aide-de-camp to the Commander of the 25th Infantry Division, then, Administrative Assistant to J03, CINCPAC, and, subsequently, as unit advisor to the 100th Battle Group, 442d Infantry USAR.
Following his completion of Command and General Staff College in 1963, he was assigned to the US Senate Liaison Branch, Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison, Department of the Army. In 1966 he attended the Armed Forces Staff College. In 1967, he was Commander of the 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, in the Vietnam War and later served on the staff of the II Field Force Vietnam. In 1969 he was assigned to the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers, Europe, in Belgium, returning in 1972 to command the 1st Infantry Division Support Command at Fort Riley.
From 1973 to 1976, he was on the staff at Headquarters, US Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Georgia, first as Secretary of the General Staff and, later as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.
In 1976, General Peter returned to Hawaii as Assistant Division Commander, 25th Infantry Division. From 1978 to 1981 he was Chief of Legislative Liaison, Department of the Army. Then he assumed command of Fort Polk and the 5th Infantry Division Mechanized. He subsequently became Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army.
Lieutenant General Edward Peter activated and assumed command of the Fourth US Army in 1984. He retired from active duty on 30 June 1986, having served the maximum number of years allowed by regulations.
During his Army service, he was awarded two Combat Infantry Badges, two Distinguished Service Medals, two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merits, two Bronze Stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, six Air Medals, and the Army Commendation Medal.
In 1987 he accepted a position as VP of Administration of the Commercial Distribution Center in Independence, Missouri – later becoming President of the company. He retired from his civilian position in 1994 and later moved to Savannah, Georgia.
He is survived by his devoted wife of fifty-five years Jean Foresteire Peter, and their four children: Jean Larsen Ron, Edward C. Peter III, Mary Kirby Keith, and Anita Brubaker David. He is also survived by their grandchildren: Audrey, Peter, and John Larsen, Veronica Larsen Volynskiy Max, Ryan and Robert Kirby, and Laura Brubaker. His brother and sister, Phillips S. Peter Jania and Nancy V. Peter Jeffery Orth also survive him.
He was a good husband and father. His labors on earth now are completed and the strongest testimony to his memory is that he was loved dearly by his family and respected by his friends.
Edward C. Peter was a patriotic soldier who not only lived the ideals of "Duty, Honor, Country," but taught these principles to his children and grandchildren as well.
Interment will take place in Arlington National Cemetery. Details provided at a future date.
Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com or www.legacy.com
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel
Savannah, Georgia