OBITUARY: Military Veteran, Former Liberty Bell Memorial Museum Curator Maj. Peter Diaz, 95, Passed Away March 28

By  //  April 9, 2023

Enlisted in the Marines at age 17, later served as a commissioned Officer with the U.S. Air Force

In loving Memory of Maj. Peter Diaz, USAF Retired, 95, of Melbourne, Florida, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Maj. Diaz was born on July 24, 1927, in New York City, NY. As a teen, Maj. Diaz emulated the military heroes of WWII and obtained parental consent to enlist in the Marines at age 17. He later served as a Curator for the Liberty Bell Memorial Museum in Melbourne.

BREVARD COUNTY, MELBOURNE• FLORIDA – In loving Memory of Maj. Peter Diaz, USAF Retired, 95, of Melbourne, Florida, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Maj. Diaz was born on July 24, 1927, in New York City, NY.

He has joined his wife of 25 years, Georgette.

As a teen, Maj. Diaz emulated the military heroes of World War II and obtained parental consent to enlist in the Marines at age 17.

He was a commanding athlete who competed as a swimmer for the U.S. Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC. He also served as a certified Red Cross instructor in life-saving.

A 1952 graduate of the University of Miami (FL) with a BS in Education, he matriculated with Distinction as a Second Lt. and a Distinguished Military Graduate. After serving with the Marines, he later served as a commissioned Officer with the U.S. Air Force.

Recognized for his acumen with firearms, he was on the Vandenberg Air Force Base Rifle Team. He qualified as a Rifle Sharpshooter with the Marines and as an Expert with Pistols for the Air Force.

Highlights of his Air Force career include service as an Aid de Camp to two Air Force Major Generals.

He served as a Combat Crew Commander for the Titan Two ICBM Missile Program and worked in Personnel, Security, and Administration for the USAF. His three-war military career included service in the Philippines, Korea, Japan and Vietnam.

After military retirement in 1969, he worked as an agent for the New York Life Insurance Company and as a representative for New York Life Securities Corp.

He later served as a Curator for the Liberty Bell Memorial Museum in Melbourne.

Maj. And Mrs. Diaz enjoyed international travel to Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Spain, Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Cuba, Colombia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, China, Peru, Brazil, Suriname and Morocco.

He is survived by his sister Nancy Fraziar of Hayesville, NC, Ruby Tebo of Winter Park, FL. Nieces Debra Fraziar of Winter Park, FL and, Elizabeth Briggs (Charles) of Winter Haven, FL, Jennifer Hammond (Tom) of Orlando, FL. Nephew, Michael Tebo of Winter Park, FL. Three stepdaughters, Georgette “GiGi” Godwen (Jeffrey) of Rockville, MD, Katherine Ryan (Philip) of Shepardstown, WV, Nora Walsh of Rockville, MD.

The family is grateful for the condolences and wishes. Memorial Service is being planned, and further information is forthcoming.

In addition to flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the (MOAN) Military Officers Association of America.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Peter Diaz, please visit Tribute Store.

HOT OFF THE PRESS! February 27, 2023 Space Coast Daily News – Brevard County’s Best NewspaperRelated Story:
HOT OFF THE PRESS! February 27, 2023 Space Coast Daily News – Brevard County’s Best Newspaper