Richard A. Peterson (aviator)

Richard Allen Peterson (February 26, 1923 – June 4, 2000) was a fighter ace and a major in the United States Army Air Forces.[1][2][3]

Richard Allen Peterson
Major Richard A "Pete" Peterson of the 357th Fighter Group
Major Richard A Peterson of the 357th Fighter Group
Nickname(s)Pete, Bud
Born(1923-02-26)February 26, 1923
Hancock, Minnesota
DiedJune 4, 2000(2000-06-04) (aged 77)
Minneapolis, Minnesota
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Forces
Years of service1942–1945
RankMajor
Service numberO-739334
Unit357th Fighter Group
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsSilver Star
Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
Air Medal (13)
Croix de Guerre (French)
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota

Early life and education

Peterson was born in Hancock, Minnesota and grew up in Alexandria, Minnesota.[4] He graduated from Alexandria High School in 1940,[5] then attended the University of Minnesota.[1] He left the university in June 1942 to become an aviation cadet.

World War II
The top scoring fighter aces of the 357th Fighter Group. L-R; Richard Peterson, Leonard Carson, John England, and Clarence Anderson.

After finishing flight training in March 1943, Peterson was assigned to the 357th Fighter Group and had 15.5 air victories and destroyed 3.5 aircraft on the ground.[6] His P-51 Mustang aircraft were named Hurry Home Honey after his wife's letter closing.[2] He is also known for forcing a German pilot to bail out of his aircraft, then shooting him in his parachute. According to Peterson, he did this in retaliation after witnessing that same pilot deliberately shooting American airmen in their parachutes.

Post war

After World War II, Peterson returned to the University of Minnesota and obtained a degree in Architecture in 1949[7] which became his career.[1] In 2000, he was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame.[8]

Awards and decorations

Peterson was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 oak leaf clusters, and Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters.[1]

See also

References
  1. William Hess. America's Top Eighth Air Force Aces in Their Own Words. Zenith Imprint. pp. 143–. ISBN 978-1-61060-702-5.
  2. Chris Bucholtz (20 December 2012). Mustang Aces of the 357th Fighter Group. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 37–. ISBN 978-1-78200-872-9.
  3. Martin W. Bowman (2006). Echoes of England: The 8th Air Force in World War Two. Tempus. ISBN 978-0-7524-3738-5.
  4. "Richard Peterson - Recipient -". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  5. "Richard A. (Bud) Peterson". Alexandria Education Foundation. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  6. Jerry Scutts (20 November 2012). Mustang Aces of the Eighth Air Force. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 174–. ISBN 978-1-78200-675-6.
  7. "Richard A. (Bud) Peterson". Alexandria Education Foundation. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  8. "Richard A. "Bud" Peterson - - Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee". Retrieved 2023-05-10.
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