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First Name: Chesley

Last Name: Peterson

Birthplace: Salmon, ID, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Air Force (1947 - present)



Middle Name: G.



Date of Birth: 10 August 1920

Date of Death: 28 January 1990

Rank: Major General

Years Served:
Chesley G. Peterson

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Chesley G. Peterson
Major General, U.S. Air Force

Chesley G. Peterson was born on 10 August 1920 in Salmon, ID.

Peterson entered military service with the Utah National Guard in 1937. Serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps when World War II broke out, he joined the Royal Air Force in London, in September 1940. From 1940-42, wearing the uniform of the Royal Air Force, he participated in the Battle of Britain. He was the youngest Squadron Commander in the Royal Air Force, flew 130 combat missions over the English Channel and scored 9 enemy kills.

Peterson entered the U.S. Army Air Forces in September 1942 and was assigned as Commanding Officer, 4th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force, in England in 1943.

In May 1943, then-Lieutenant Colonel Chesley G. Peterson was serving as Pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of the 4th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force, in aerial combat against German forces. While leading a formation in the escort of bomber aircraft, his wing man had dropped behind the formation due to motor trouble. LTC Peterson then sighted 8 enemy airplanes about to attack the bomber formation. Without assistance, LTC Peterson immediately engaged the 8 German aircraft, probably destroying one and damaging another. The boldness and intensity of LTC Peterson's attack completely disrupted the enemy formation and its attack, thereby contributing largely to the safety of the bomber aircraft and the successful completion of their mission. LTC Peterson's flying skills and heroic actions that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Peterson was assigned to the 8th Fighter Command in 1944 and the 65th Fighter Wing. On his return to the U.S. from combat, he was appointed Chief Air Attaché, Washington, DC, in August 1945. He served various command duties to include, 41st Air Division, 5th Air Force, Japan in 1961, the Union of South Africa and Assistant Chief of Intelligence, Staff, Commander-in-Chief, Pacific in 1967.

He retired a Major General on 31 July 1970.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Legion of Merit
Air Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Air Force Longevity Service Award with Silver and Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Command Pilot Badge

Foreign Medals

British Distinguished Service Order
British Distinguished Flying Cross
French Legion of Honor

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Chesley Gordon Peterson (ASN: 0-885114), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane and Commanding Officer of the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in May 1943. While leading a formation in escort of bombardment aircraft and after his wing man had dropped behind due to motor trouble, Colonel Peterson sighted eight enemy airplanes about to attack the bomber formation. With utter disregard for his personal safety and without assistance he immediately engaged the eight enemy aircraft, probably destroying one and damaging another. The vigor and fearlessness of his attack completely disrupted the enemy formation and routed the enemy attack, thereby contributing largely to the safety of the bomber aircraft and the successful completion of their mission.

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 39 (July 2, 1943)

Death and Burial

Major General Chesley G. Peterson died on 28 January 1990 in California. He is buried at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA, in Section 20B, Site 44.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14868552/chesley-g.-peterson



Honoree ID: 2956   Created by: MHOH

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