Daniel Thurston Peterson

Daniel Thurston Peterson, age 76, of Henderson, Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, surrounded by his wife and family. He was born on April 27, 1948, at Mercy Hospital in Bay City, Michigan, to his parents: Thurston W. Peterson and Joyce (Corbett) Peterson. Dan was raised in Essexville, Michigan, along with his two siblings, David and Ilene. In his youth, he enjoyed playing baseball, swimming, and basketball, as well as skating—both hockey and speed skating. When he was not enjoying time with his family and friends or participating in outdoor activities, Dan's fascination with aviation started early as he constructed model planes and cars. Dan graduated from Bay City Central High School, Class of 1966.

Daniel entered the U.S. Army on September 11, 1968. He attended Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Expecting to go to Fort Polk, Louisiana, as everyone else was, Dan was surprised that he had been selected to attend the U.S. Army Helicopter training program at Fort Walters, Texas, a nine-month program split between Fort Walters and Fort Rucker, Alabama. Dan accepted his Warrant Appointment on October 5, 1969, and received his Army Aviator Wings on October 6, 1969.

On November 17, 1969, Dan was assigned to the 145th Combat Aviation Brigade, 190th Assault Helicopter Company (Spartans), Ben Hoa, South Vietnam. He flew many missions supporting the various units within the 3rd Corps. On August 11, 1970, while flying a low-level reconnaissance mission, Dan was seriously injured, receiving small arms wounds to his chest and right arm. Despite his wounds, Dan continued to locate enemy positions until his helicopter was hit with several RPGs. Dan was awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight. On June 2, 1971, Dan returned to Vietnam with a sister unit of the 190th, the 118th Assault Helicopter Company (Thunderbirds). During this tour, his unit supported the Vietnamese Program, flying with South Vietnamese co-pilots until the unit stood down.

After returning from Vietnam, Dan was assigned to Fort Rucker, Alabama, to attend the UH-1 (Huey) instructor pilot program. Upon graduating, he remained at Fort Rucker to train Fixed Wing Aviators to fly helicopters. He trained Thai, Panamanian, Ethiopian, and Korean pilots. Dan was later selected to retrain POW helicopter pilots. He remained at Fort Rucker until July 15, 1975, when he was assigned to HHC U.S. Army Security Agency Field Station Korea.

After Korea, Dan was assigned to the 197th Infantry Brigade as a UH-1 (Huey) instructor pilot, instrument flight examiner, and maintenance officer. He remained there until April 23, 1981, when he was assigned to the 3rd Squadron 4th Cavalry, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. In 1982, he was reassigned to the 24th Infantry Brigade, Division Aviation Office as the Division Helicopter Standardization Officer. In 1983, Dan headed a mobile training team to Thailand to train Thai helicopter pilots in Map of the Earth flying techniques. He was awarded the Thai Master Aviator Badge by the Commander of the Thai Aviation Center.

In 1984, after returning to Hawaii from Thailand, Dan was selected to attend the Multi-Engine Fixed-Wing training program at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 35th Signal Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps, and Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, as a fixed-wing aviator. He remained there until 1988, when he was selected to attend the AH-64 Apache training program. Upon graduation, Dan was assigned to the 229th Aviation Regiment (Flying Tigers), 18th Airborne Corps, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. However, the unit was assigned to Fort Rucker to develop the AH-64 Apache combat doctrine. In 1990, the 229th deployed to Saudi Arabia as the 18th Airborne Division’s AH-64 Attack Helicopter Regiment in support of Desert Storm.

On June 30, 1991, Dan retired after 23 years as a U.S. Army Aviator. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal 3rd OLC, Air Medal (27th Award), Air Medal with “V” (Valor), Army Commendation Medal (2nd OLC), Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Ribbon with 3 Campaign Service Stars, Vietnamese Air Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia, and a Master Aviator Badge. In addition to his distinguished service record, Dan continued his education at night school to obtain two Bachelor's degrees—one in Business Management and the other in Accounting from Troy State University.

Upon his release from active duty, Dan moved to California, to San Diego, where he took a position in accounting. While he was not interested in accounting, it was in California that Dan met his future bride. On September 23, 1993, Dan married the love of his life and soulmate, Eileen Angelica Ehrick. Together, they blended their lives and families. Through their union, while Dan was already blessed with two children from his previous marriage, he was blessed with two stepsons from Eileen's previous marriage. Together, as their families grew, they were blessed with six grandchildren.

Not willing to settle into retirement, Dan and Eileen relocated to Nevada in 1994. He began another career in healthcare, working for FHP. When the company was acquired, Dan worked at Fremont Medical Center, eventually becoming Administrator of numerous clinics. In 2009, Dan was offered an administrative position at the High-Risk Pregnancy Center and was happy there until his retirement in 2014.

After retiring, and never one to sit still, Dan was a visionary and determined leader within his community. He was instrumental in developing the Purple Heart Plaza in downtown Henderson, a heartfelt tribute to honor combat-wounded veterans. His efforts also led to the renaming of Highway 11 as the Purple Heart Highway, a lasting recognition of those who have sacrificed in the name of freedom.

Dan also served as Commander of Purple Heart Chapter 730, where he passionately represented the community of wounded veterans. In addition, Dan previously served on the Board of Directors for the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery and was the chairman for the City of Henderson veterans forum. His initiatives, advocacy, and unwavering support made a profound difference in the lives of countless service members and their families. Dan directed the creation of the Veterans Action Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) to help support the Military Order of the Purple Heart and other veteran organizations.

Dan was a loving husband to his wife of 31 years, Eileen, and a devoted father to his children and grandchildren. He was a man of faith, attending his church home at Central Christian in Henderson, Nevada. Dan always managed to find balance within the hectic schedule of his life by taking cruises with Eileen, going on annual family vacations with kids and grandkids, meeting with friends at GVR, watching Oak Island with Jim, cooking on his BBQ grill and smoker, doing puzzles, and supporting and watching football and the Golden Knights hockey team.

Dan was content and happiest when he was out serving others. He was a Christian man who treasured his family above everything. He was a kind, giving man with a decent heart. Though not an overly demonstrative man, he was generous with his time to family and friends. He was never too busy to listen to problems, never too busy to volunteer, and never too busy to help anyone in the family or community. He dedicated his time and energy to advocating for veterans’ rights, ensuring they received the benefits and support they greatly deserved. Rest in peace, Dan Peterson. You served with honor, lived with purpose, and inspired us all.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Thurston and Joyce, and his brother, David. He is survived by his wife, Eileen; his sister, Ilene Peterson (Rebecca); his children, Ashley Peterson and Misty Peterson; his stepchildren, Kristopher Kirchner (Aleshia) and Kasey Kirchner (Tracy); and six beloved grandchildren: Rio Valentine, Ryan Beeman, Kristopher and Charlie Kirchner, and Allison and Lucas Quinell.

Please join us in celebrating our beloved and most cherished “Danny,” father, husband, “Fly Guy,” Danimal, Grandpa, brother, friend, and Paw Paw Peterson.

-We will miss him all the days of our lives-

A service of honor for Daniel will be held Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Palm Mortuary - Henderson, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015. Dan will be laid to rest privately with his family at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

In honor of Dan’s memory, the family requests that donations be made to the Military Order of the Purple Heart (www.purpleheart730.org) or the Veterans Action Foundation (www.vafnv.org).