Chesley G. Peterson

Major General Chesley G. Peterson (August 10, 1920–January 28, 1990) was a career officer in the United States Air Force. He was a fighter pilot in the European theater in World War II who remained in the military after the war. Peterson is best known for his time as the commander of the famous 4th Fighter Group during 1942–1943.

Peterson was born in Idaho, but moved to Utah in his childhood. He joined the Utah National Guard in 1937. In 1939, he joined the Army Air Corps and was selected for air cadet training, but was dismissed before graduation from flight school. He moved to Los Angeles after being dropped from flight school and was working at Douglas Aircraft when he became interested in flying for the Royal Air Force (RAF), who were at that time recruiting Americans to fight the Germans.

Eagle Squadron

Peterson arrived in England in late 1940 and was assigned to No. 71 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. No. 71 Squadron was one of the three Eagle squadrons made of volunteer American pilots. The Americans would fly Hurricanes and Spitfires against the Luftwaffe. In time, he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant, and given command of No. 71 Squadron. Flt. Lt. Peterson completed 42 missions while flying with the RAF. When he was given command of No. 71 Squadron, he was only 21 years old and the youngest squadron commander in the RAF.

4th Fighter Group

In 1942, Peterson accepted a transfer to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) along with the rest of the Eagle Squadron members. He was assigned to the 4th Fighter Group as the executive officer and as a major. Later he would be promoted to colonel at the age of 23, and became the youngest colonel in the USAAF.

When Peterson first joined the 4th Fighter Group, they were assigned the P-47 Thunderbolt, which was a radical change from the Spitfires the Eagle Squadron pilots had flown. While flying a P-47 over the English Channel, Peterson was forced to bail out at 500 feet (150 m) above the water. His parachute failed, but miraculously Peterson survived both the fall and the dangerous Channel waters.

In January 1944, Peterson was reassigned to VIII Fighter Command as a staff officer and then to a subordinate unit of VIII Fighter Command, the 65th Fighter Wing, until returning to the United States at the end of 1944. During his time overseas, Colonel Peterson flew a total of 130 missions and was credited with nine aerial victories and nine probables.

After attending Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Peterson was assigned as the commander of Dale Mabry Field, Tallahassee, Florida in March 1945. His next assignment was as chief, Air Attache Branch, Headquarters Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C., beginning in August, 1945.

After the war, Colonel Peterson had a variety of assignments including command and staff assignments. Despite not participating directly in either the Korean or Vietnam wars, he was assigned overseas as the commander of flying units in France and Japan during both wars.

Peterson was promoted to major general in 1965. His last assignment on active duty began on April 1, 1967 as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Staff, Commander in Chief, Pacific. Peterson retired July 31, 1970. He died on January 28, 1990 in Riverside, California and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery.

•   Distinguished Service Cross
•   Legion of Merit
•   Purple Heart
•   Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
•   Distinguished Service Order
•   Distinguished Flying Cross
•   Legion of Honour