John H. Peterson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Marines
John H. Peterson of Duluth, Minnesota entered the Marine Corps aviation cadet program on Oct 5, 1942.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in November 1943, in Pensacola, Fla., as an aviator on F4U Corsair aircraft.
He flew bombing and strafing missions and while flying a routine patrol on April 3, 1945, his plane was downed by Japanese suicide aircraft at Kerama Retto. He spent four days on a life raft in the Pacific.
He later participated in flight operations against the Japanese on Okinawa from April 12 to June 3, 1945. He also flew bombing-strafing missions over the Marshall Islands in early August.
He was relieved from active duty on Feb. 6, 1946.
Mr.Peterson received the: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with two gold stars, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Service Medal, American Campaign Service Medal and World War II Victory Medal.
He re-entered active service during the Korean War in August 1951 as a helicopter pilot and was promoted to Captain.
He was discharged as a Major in March 1962.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 248.
