Forrest S. Petersen
Encyclopedia
Vice Admiral Forrest S. Petersen (May 16, 1922 - December 8, 1990) was a United States Navy
aviator
and test pilot
.
, he was the son of Elmer and Stella Petersen. and was raised in Gibbon, Nebraska
. Prior to his admission to the United States Naval Academy
, he attended the University of Nebraska for two years.
, was commissioned as an ensign
, and reported to the destroyer . While serving aboard Caperton he participated in campaigns in the Philippines
, Formosa
and Okinawa. After graduation from flight training in 1947, he was assigned to Fighting Squadron Twenty Able which was later redesignated Fighter Squadron 192
.
Petersen graduated from Naval Postgraduate School
with a Bachelors Degree in Aeronautical Engineering in July 1950. He continued studies for one year at Princeton University
and received a Masters Degree in Engineering. From 1953 to 1956 he served with Fighter Squadron 51
. In 1956 he was selected to attend the United States Naval Test Pilot School
and remained as an instructor following graduation.
In August 1958, he was assigned duties as Research Pilot in the X-15
Program and served with the Dryden Flight Research Center
at Edwards, California
until January 1962. During that time he made five free flights in the X-15 and achieved a speed of 3,600 mph (Mach 5.3) and an altitude of about 102,000 feet. He was one of the initial three test pilots with Joe Walker, Bob White, and contractor pilot, Scott Crossfield.
He was the only active duty Navy pilot to fly the X-15 (John McKay, Milton Thompson, Scott Crossfield and Neil Armstrong
were former Navy pilots). In July 1962 he was a joint recipient of the Collier Trophy
which was presented by President John F. Kennedy
and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal
which was presented by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson
.
Petersen served as Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron 154
prior to being assigned to the office of Director, Division of Naval Reactors, AEC for Nuclear Power Training. He reported to the aircraft carrier in January 1964 and served as Executive Officer until April 1966. He was awarded the Bronze Star
for duty during Enterprise's first combat tour in Vietnam
. In November 1967 he assumed command of in the Pacific Fleet Amphibious Forces. Following an eight month deployment with the United States Seventh Fleet
Amphibious Forces in the Western Pacific
he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V
. He then served as Commanding Officer of the Enterprise (July 8, 1969 - December 3, 1971). He was then assigned duties as an Assistant to the Director of Naval Program Planning in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations
. In 1974, he went on to command carrier group CTF-60, based at Athens, Greece. In 1975 he came back to the Pentagon
to head the Naval Air Operations office. He then headed Naval Air Systems Command, from which he retired in 1980.
, Korean War
and the Vietnam War
: Legion of Merit
, Distinguished Flying Cross
, Bronze Star
, NASA Distinguished Service Medal
, Navy Commendation Medal, American Defense Service Medal
, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
, American Campaign Medal
, China Service Medal
, Army of Occupation Medal
(w/"Japan" clasp), Philippine Liberation Medal
, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
, World War II Victory Medal
, Korean Service Medal
, United Nations Service Medal
, Vietnam Service Medal
, Vietnam Campaign Medal
, National Defense Service Medal
(w/bronze service star
), and the Korean War Service Medal
. The midshipman library at the University of Nebraska is named in honor of Admiral Petersen.
He subsequently married Jean Baldwin on June 17, 1978. She had a son, Preston. She died in 2005.
from a brain tumor. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
aviator
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
and test pilot
Test pilot
A test pilot is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques or FTTs, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated....
.
Birth and education
Born in Holdrege, NebraskaHoldrege, Nebraska
Holdrege is a city in Phelps County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 5,636 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Phelps County.-Transportation:...
, he was the son of Elmer and Stella Petersen. and was raised in Gibbon, Nebraska
Gibbon, Nebraska
Gibbon is a city in Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Kearney, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,759 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gibbon is located at ....
. Prior to his admission to the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, he attended the University of Nebraska for two years.
Military career
He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1944, with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineeringElectrical engineering
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
, was commissioned as an ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
, and reported to the destroyer . While serving aboard Caperton he participated in campaigns in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Formosa
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and Okinawa. After graduation from flight training in 1947, he was assigned to Fighting Squadron Twenty Able which was later redesignated Fighter Squadron 192
VFA-192
Strike Fighter Squadron 192 , also known as the "World Famous Golden Dragons", are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at NAS Lemoore...
.
Petersen graduated from Naval Postgraduate School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
with a Bachelors Degree in Aeronautical Engineering in July 1950. He continued studies for one year at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
and received a Masters Degree in Engineering. From 1953 to 1956 he served with Fighter Squadron 51
VF-51
VF-51, Fighter Squadron 51 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy known as the "Screaming Eagles". The squadron established in 1943 and retired and its personnel reassigned in 1995.- History :...
. In 1956 he was selected to attend the United States Naval Test Pilot School
United States Naval Test Pilot School
The United States Naval Test Pilot School , located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Patuxent River, Maryland, provides instruction to experienced United States Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, and foreign military experimental test pilots, flight test engineers, and flight test...
and remained as an instructor following graduation.
In August 1958, he was assigned duties as Research Pilot in the X-15
North American X-15
The North American X-15 rocket-powered aircraft/spaceplane was part of the X-series of experimental aircraft, initiated with the Bell X-1, that were made for the USAAF/USAF, NACA/NASA, and the USN. The X-15 set speed and altitude records in the early 1960s, reaching the edge of outer space and...
Program and served with the Dryden Flight Research Center
Dryden Flight Research Center
The Dryden Flight Research Center , located inside Edwards Air Force Base, is an aeronautical research center operated by NASA. On March 26, 1976 it was named in honor of the late Hugh L. Dryden, a prominent aeronautical engineer who at the time of his death in 1965 was NASA's deputy administrator...
at Edwards, California
Edwards, California
Edwards is an unincorporated community in Kern County, California.It is located east-southeast of Mojave, at an elevation of 2356 feet ....
until January 1962. During that time he made five free flights in the X-15 and achieved a speed of 3,600 mph (Mach 5.3) and an altitude of about 102,000 feet. He was one of the initial three test pilots with Joe Walker, Bob White, and contractor pilot, Scott Crossfield.
He was the only active duty Navy pilot to fly the X-15 (John McKay, Milton Thompson, Scott Crossfield and Neil Armstrong
Neil Armstrong
Neil Alden Armstrong is an American former astronaut, test pilot, aerospace engineer, university professor, United States Naval Aviator, and the first person to set foot upon the Moon....
were former Navy pilots). In July 1962 he was a joint recipient of the Collier Trophy
Collier Trophy
The Collier Trophy is an annual aviation award administered by the U.S. National Aeronautics Association , presented to those who have made "the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space...
which was presented by President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
The NASA Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award which may be bestowed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States...
which was presented by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
.
Petersen served as Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron 154
VFA-154
Strike Fighter Squadron 154 , also known as "City Dump" throughout the Vietnam War, is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The "Dumpers" petitioned to have their call sign changed in the late 1970s to the Black Knights, and were granted the change. ...
prior to being assigned to the office of Director, Division of Naval Reactors, AEC for Nuclear Power Training. He reported to the aircraft carrier in January 1964 and served as Executive Officer until April 1966. He was awarded the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
for duty during Enterprise's first combat tour in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. In November 1967 he assumed command of in the Pacific Fleet Amphibious Forces. Following an eight month deployment with the United States Seventh Fleet
United States Seventh Fleet
The Seventh Fleet is the United States Navy's permanent forward projection force based in Yokosuka, Japan, with units positioned near Japan and South Korea. It is a component fleet force under the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with...
Amphibious Forces in the Western Pacific
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V
Valor device
The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
. He then served as Commanding Officer of the Enterprise (July 8, 1969 - December 3, 1971). He was then assigned duties as an Assistant to the Director of Naval Program Planning in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
. In 1974, he went on to command carrier group CTF-60, based at Athens, Greece. In 1975 he came back to the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
to head the Naval Air Operations office. He then headed Naval Air Systems Command, from which he retired in 1980.
Awards and decorations
Petersen held the following awards for service in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
: Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, NASA Distinguished Service Medal
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
The NASA Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award which may be bestowed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States...
, Navy Commendation Medal, American Defense Service Medal
American Defense Service Medal
The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:...
, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was...
, American Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
, China Service Medal
China Service Medal
The China Service Medal was a military medal awarded to U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel. The medal was instituted on August 23, 1940 and featured a yellow ribbon with narrow red edge stripes...
, Army of Occupation Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
The Army of Occupation Medal is a military award of the United States military which was established by the United States War Department on 5 April 1946. The medal was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to recognize those who had performed occupation service in either Germany or Japan...
(w/"Japan" clasp), Philippine Liberation Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal
The Philippine Liberation Medal is a military award of the Republic of the Philippines which was created by an order of Commonwealth Army of the Philippines Headquarters on December 20, 1944...
, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines)
The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is a decoration of the Republic of the Philippines which has been awarded to certain units of the United States military for actions both during and subsequent to the Second World War....
, World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
, Korean Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
The Korean Service Medal is an award of the United States military and was created in November 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary United States medal for participation in the Korean War and is awarded to any U.S. service member, who...
, United Nations Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
The United Nations Service Medal for Korea is an international military decoration which was established by the United Nations on December 12, 1950...
, Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
, Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, , to any member of the United States, Australian, New Zealand and allied military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations.Established in 1966, the decoration is...
, National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
(w/bronze service star
Service star
A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service...
), and the Korean War Service Medal
Korean War Service Medal
The Korean War Service Medal is a decoration of South Korea which was first authorized in December 1950...
. The midshipman library at the University of Nebraska is named in honor of Admiral Petersen.
Family
Petersen married June Berkshire, Feb. 2, 1946. They had 3 children. Lynn Elizabeth, Nels Christian, and Forrest Dean. June died May 8, 1977.He subsequently married Jean Baldwin on June 17, 1978. She had a son, Preston. She died in 2005.
Death and burial
He died on December 8, 1990 in Georgetown, South CarolinaGeorgetown, South Carolina
Georgetown is the third oldest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina and the county seat of Georgetown County, in the Low Country. Located on Winyah Bay at the confluence of the Great Pee Dee River, Waccamaw River, and Sampit River, Georgetown is the second largest seaport in South Carolina,...
from a brain tumor. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.