Fallen Soldier: Dustin W. Peters

Staff Sergeant Dustin W. Peters, 25, of El Dorado, KS. died July 11, 2004, when his convoy was hit by multiple homemade bombs.

SSgt. Peters was assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and attached to the U.S. Army’s 494th Truck Company at Balad Air Base, Iraq. He served as the noncommissioned officer in charge of equipment support for the 314th Logistics Readiness Squadron before his deployment to Iraq.

SSgt. Peters graduated from Shirley High School in 1996 and joined the Air Force in January 1997. After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, he attended technical training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., graduating as a vehicle operator journeyman. Before arriving in Iraq, Sergeant Peters had assignments at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

SSgt. Jeremy Hamack, who was stationed at the base said, “Anybody who met him, he was their best friend — always there for you, cared more about you than himself — most dedicated friend I’ve ever had.”

SSgt. Peters is survived by his mother, Linda Benning and a sister.