Peers, often referred to by his middle name "Ray" by close associates, was born in Stuart, Iowa in 1914[1] and raised in Covina, California.

He attended the University of California, Los Angeles where he was president of the Sigma Pi fraternity chapter and was a member of the Bruins' football, wrestling, and rugby teams.

During the Korean War, he directed covert operations by Chinese Nationalist troops into the southern part of the People's Republic of China from secret bases in Burma.

Upon his return from China, he attended the prestigious Army War College, and afterward held a series of intelligence and staff positions.

Under his leadership, allied troops decisively but controversially, defeated Viet Cong guerrillas and NVA regulars in the battles of Dak To in November 1967, and Duc Lap in August 1968.

[6]Peers died at the age of 69 on 6 April 1984, of a heart attack at Letterman Army Medical Center at the Presidio of San Francisco.