This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Peterson, Chesley Gordon, Maj Gen USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Salmon, Idaho or Santaquin, Utah
Last Address Retirement Village, March AFB, Riverside, California
Date of Passing Jan 28, 1990
Location of Interment Riverside National Cemetery (VA) - Riverside, California
He was in the U.S. Army Air Corps Sep 1939-Jan 1940 then joined the British Royal Air Force. While in 71 Eagle Squadron of the RAF in England, he destroyed 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
He rejoined the now U.S. Army Air Forces in Sep 1942 and got his 7th aerial victory while with the 4th Fighter Group.
His DSC citation: Awarded for actions during World War II
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.
General Orders: Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 39 (1943)
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