Peterson, Chesley Gordon, Maj Gen

Deceased
 
 Service Photo   Service Details
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Last Rank
Major General
Last Primary AFSC/MOS
1021A-Pilot
Last AFSC Group
Aircrew
Primary Unit
1945-1945, 321st Bombardier Training Group
Service Years
1938 - 1970
Officer srcset=
Major General

 Last Photo   Personal Details 

79 kb


Home State
Idaho
Idaho
Year of Birth
1920
 
This Military Service Page was created/owned by SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr. to remember Peterson, Chesley Gordon, Maj Gen USAF(Ret).

If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
 
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
Wall/Plot Coordinates
Section 20B, Site 44

 Official Badges 

Headquarters Air Force Air Force Commander Air Training Command Instructor (pre-1966) Air Force Retired




 Unofficial Badges 

Cold War Medal Air Ace American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal


 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
American Fighter Aces AssociationNational Cemetery Administration (NCA)
  1961, American Fighter Aces Association
  1990, National Cemetery Administration (NCA)


 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:

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)

Action Date: May 1943

Service: Army Air Forces

Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Company: Commanding Officer

Regiment: 4th Fighter Group

Division: 8th Air Force

He was also awarded 1other British decoration not shown on the ribbon chart.

   
Other Comments:

Sources:
USAF bio
http://usfighter.tripod.com/peterson.htm
http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=360
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesley_G._Peterson
http://www.cieldegloire.com/014_peterson_c_g.php
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=14868552
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/22953
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/4th-fighter-group/
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/hq_petersoncgweb_a.pdf
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/30676

 

   

 1944-1944, C-47 Skytrain/Dakota
From Year
1944
To Year
1944
   
Personal Memories
Not Specified
   
Image
 C-47 Skytrain/Dakota Details
 


Aircraft/Missile Information
During World War II, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and modified DC-3s for the transport of troops, cargo and wounded. Over 10,000 aircraft were produced in Long Beach and Santa Monica, California and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City plant produced 5,354 C-47s from March 1943 until August 1945.


Model Douglas C-47 Skytrain / Dakota Mk I
Length 63.75 ft | 19.43 m
Width 95.51 ft | 29.11 m
Height 16.99 ft | 5.18 m
Engine(s) 2 x Pratt & Whintey R-1830-92 14-cylinder radial piston engines delivering 1,200hp each.
Empty Weight 18,199 lbs | 8,255 kg
MTOW 25,999 lbs | 11,793 kg
Max Speed 230 mph | 370 km/h | 200 kts
Max Range 1,600 miles | 2,575 km
Ceiling 23,999 ft | 7,315 m | 4.5 miles
Climb Rate 1,041 ft/min
Hardpoints None.
Armament None.
Accommodations 3 + 27

   
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Last Updated: Oct 13, 2011
   
My Photos From This Aircraft/Missile
No Available Photos

  175 Also There at This Aircraft:
  • Ammann, Philip, Sgt, (1942-1945)
  • Caproni, Jason
  • Economos, Christine
  • Eddy, Howard, 1st Lt, (1943-1953)
  • Edgington, Willis, E., Capt, (1942-1945)
  • Fewell, Thomas, Maj, (1943-1946)
  • Fulmer, Edward Simons, 1st Lt, (1941-1945)
  • Gardner, Bronson
  • Hamilton, Jack, B., 1st Lt, (1942-1946)
  • Jeffress, Charles, Lt Col, (1942-1980)
  • MacDonald, Robin
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