Peter St. James, Death, –Obituary, Veteran broadcaster and radio personality has passed away
The iconic baritone of veteran broadcaster Peter St. James fell silent yesterday, marking the end of a remarkable fifty-year career. Yet his legacy, particularly within the New Hampshire National Guard, resonates with profound strength and enduring gratitude.
For over fifteen years, St. James was the Guard’s most vital media advocate. His weekly WTPL show, affectionately known as “Tuesdays With Peter,” was an unprecedented platform, accounting for hundreds of interviews with deployed citizen-soldiers and airmen. He made their voices heard.
His annual Christmas Eve broadcast was radio at its finest—and St. James at his best. A four-hour dedication to the Guard, it featured the adjutant general and command sergeant major in studio, while family members spoke directly to loved ones overseas. The governor and senators called in. The shows were spontaneous, genuine, and brimming with holiday cheer.
St. James’s commitment went far beyond the microphone. He embedded with the 197th Fires Brigade in Iraq in 2011, spent a week with Task Force Jaguar in El Salvador in 2013, and returned multiple times to cover missions in New Hampshire’s state partnership country. He interviewed generals, but preferred talking with Joes, connecting personally with soldiers, often walking a mile in their muddy boots.
Through his disarming appeal, he translated their experiences for a regular listenership of over 25,000. Outside the studio, he volunteered as master of ceremony for countless deployment and redeployment events, and for five gatherings honoring Vietnam veterans. He even recorded the stories of residents at the State Veterans Home.
The true measure of his impact is simple: countless guardsmen considered Peter St. James a good friend. He was their champion, their conduit, and their confidant. His voice may be silent, but the connection he forged between the Guard and the community it serves will echo for years to come.