Eagle Biography
Chesley G. "Pete" Peterson
For the Americans serving with the famed "Eagle" Squadrons in the Royal Air
Force, World War II began well before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Chesley "Pete
" Peterson is the highest decorated and among the most successful of these airmen
who felt a sense of duty to help Britain in her "gallant hours." Aided by an
altered birth certificate, he first entered pilot training in 1939 with the US Army Air
Corps; however, he was found to be under age and soon dismissed. Undaunted, 19-year-old
Peterson made his way to England in mid-1940, joined the RAF as a pilot officer in the
original No. 71 "Eagle" Squadron, and flew Hurricanes at the end of
the Battle of Britain. He later transitioned to Spitfires and, shortly after
taking command of the squadron in November 1941, he was decorated by King George VI for
"high courage and magnificent leadership."
With the build-up of US forces in
England, the three "Eagle" squadrons transferred into the USAAF as the 4th
Fighter Group on 29 September 1942. Peterson was soon promoted, becoming at age 23 the
youngest full colonel in Air Force history, and given command of the group. With this
unit, he had the distinction of leading the first American P-47 combat mission in Europe.
While flying over 200 combat missions with the RAF and USAAF, he achieved nine confirmed
and seven probable victories, and survived two bailouts over the English Channel, one of
which resulted in a 500-foot plunge headfirst into the water when his parachute failed to
fully open.
His skill and courage in combat were recognized by the award of America's
Distinguished Service Cross and Britain's Distinguished Service Order--each country's
second highest decoration of valor. He was the only American fighter pilot ever so
decorated. In the post-war years, he served as military air attaché in the Union of South
Africa and in a wide variety of staff and operational command positions. The "boy
colonel" retired from the Air Force in 1970 as a major general. Today, Chesley
Peterson is actively involved as Chairman of the Utah Military and Veterans' Affairs
Committee.
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| Honored as an Eagle In: |
| 1984
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Flying a Spitfire Mk V painted with Eagle Squadron Colors and
markings, Chesley Peterson scored one confirmed and one probable victory
while leading a mission in support of the Dieppe Commando Raid on the French
coast in August 1942. Noted for his distinctive elliptical wings and sleek
lines, the Spitfire is one of the most beautifully designed aircraft
of WW II. Its superb performance and maneuverability, especially in turns,
made it a highly effective interceptor during the Battle of Britain. The
degree of a pilot's appreciation for this aircraft's combat capabilities was
perhaps best shown when German Reichmarshal Hermann Goering asked Luftwaffe
fighter commander Adolf Galland if there was anything he wanted. To Goering's
consternation, he answered, "Yes, a squadron of Spitfires.
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