Peter Geelhoed was born May 27, 1919. He joined the Army in April of 1941, just before his 22nd birthday. He was a Michigan farm boy, known for being “strong as an ox” according to a cousin. But he is also remembered for his courage.

“Geelhoed was killed in the final attack on Buna Mission Jan. 2. He ‘openly exposed himself to the accurate enemy fire in order to get close enough to enemy positions to throw grenades into them.’ After having made possible the capture of two positions, he ‘rushed a third and was killed only after he had thrown one grenade which killed two of the enemy and wounded others.'”¹

He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and is interred in Winchester Cemetery in Byron Center, Michigan.

1. Associated Press. “Four Michigan Men Decorated in N. Guinea.” Detroit Free Press [Detroit, MI], 24 Apr. 1943