Pete Peterson
Encyclopedia
Douglas Brian "Pete" Peterson (born June 26, 1935, Omaha, Nebraska
) was a U.S. Air Force pilot who spent over six years as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese Army after his plane was shot down during the Vietnam War
. He returned to Hanoi
in 1997 as the first United States Ambassador to Vietnam
. He was an ambassador until 2001, after which he devoted himself to philanthropic work.
and attended college at the University of Tampa
. He joined the Air Force and served in Vietnam, where his F4 Phantom was shot down on September 10, 1966. He spent six years in prison, a period he described as "hours and hours of boredom, spliced with moments of stark terror." He was released March 4, 1973.
in order to earn his Ph.D
in finance. He later taught the subject as a professor at Florida State University
.
In 1990, Peterson ran as a Democrat
for a seat in the United States House of Representatives
in Florida's 2nd congressional district
. He successfully defeated James W. Grant
, a politician who grew unpopular after switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party
in the middle of his second term.
He declined to run for a fourth term (he was succeeded by Allen Boyd
), in 1997 was asked by President Bill Clinton
to become the United States's first post-war ambassador to Vietnam. One of his goals was securing an account of those still listed as missing in action from the war and so helping to resolve the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue
.
In 1995, his first wife had died, and two weeks after his installation in Hanoi
met Vi Le, Australia
's senior trade commissioner, born in Vietnam, whom he married. In 1999, he moved to Melbourne
so they could be closer to her family. On November 17, 2000, he was presented with the Presidential Citizens Medal
by President Clinton.
, TASC, which aims to lower preventable injuries to children worldwide, and focuses specifically on such issues as drowning in Asia. With his wife he started a company whose aim it is to promote American business in Southeast Asia.
In 2009, Peterson acquired Australian citizenship.
Peterson is a Senior Director for Albright Stonebridge Group
, an international strategic consulting firm.
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
) was a U.S. Air Force pilot who spent over six years as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese Army after his plane was shot down during 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...
. He returned to Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
in 1997 as the first United States Ambassador to Vietnam
United States Ambassador to Vietnam
The United States Ambassador to Vietnam is the chief American diplomat to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. After the First Indochina War and the defeat of the French dominion over Vietnam, the nation was split into North and South Vietnam at the Geneva Conference of 1954...
. He was an ambassador until 2001, after which he devoted himself to philanthropic work.
Education, military service
Peterson grew up in Milton, IowaMilton, Iowa
Milton is a city in Van Buren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 550 at the 2000 census. The town was founded by settlers from Milton, Delaware in 1844.-Geography:Milton is located at ....
and attended college at the University of Tampa
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
. He joined the Air Force and served in Vietnam, where his F4 Phantom was shot down on September 10, 1966. He spent six years in prison, a period he described as "hours and hours of boredom, spliced with moments of stark terror." He was released March 4, 1973.
Academic, political career
After the war ended, Peterson entered Central Michigan UniversityCentral Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
in order to earn his Ph.D
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in finance. He later taught the subject as a professor at Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
.
In 1990, Peterson ran as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
for a seat in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in Florida's 2nd congressional district
Florida's 2nd congressional district
Florida's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida. The district consists of the eastern part of the Florida Panhandle along with much of the Big Bend region along the Emerald Coast, and is anchored in the state capital of Tallahassee and includes Panama...
. He successfully defeated James W. Grant
James W. Grant
James William "Bill" Grant is an American banker and former politician from Madison, Florida.A graduate of Florida State University, he attended the University of Florida for graduate studies. He represented in the U. S. Congress from 1987 to 1991...
, a politician who grew unpopular after switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in the middle of his second term.
He declined to run for a fourth term (he was succeeded by Allen Boyd
Allen Boyd
Fred Allen Boyd Jr. is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He currently works for a lobbying firm, the Twenty-First Century Group.-Early life, education and career:...
), in 1997 was asked by President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
to become the United States's first post-war ambassador to Vietnam. One of his goals was securing an account of those still listed as missing in action from the war and so helping to resolve the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue
Vietnam War POW/MIA issue
The Vietnam War POW/MIA issue concerns the fate of United States servicemen who were reported as missing in action during the Vietnam War and associated theaters of operation in Southeast Asia...
.
In 1995, his first wife had died, and two weeks after his installation in Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
met Vi Le, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's senior trade commissioner, born in Vietnam, whom he married. In 1999, he moved to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
so they could be closer to her family. On November 17, 2000, he was presented with the Presidential Citizens Medal
Presidential Citizens Medal
The Presidential Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian award in the United States, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is awarded by the President of the United States, and may be given posthumously....
by President Clinton.
Philanthropy, business
Since retiring as ambassador, Peterson founded The Alliance for Safe ChildrenThe Alliance for Safe Children
The Alliance for Safe Children is a non-profit organization formed in 2002 to address the issue of child injury in the developing world. The founder is Pete Peterson, former United States Ambassador to Vietnam. Michael Linnon is the technical director.TASC works in cooperation with other...
, TASC, which aims to lower preventable injuries to children worldwide, and focuses specifically on such issues as drowning in Asia. With his wife he started a company whose aim it is to promote American business in Southeast Asia.
In 2009, Peterson acquired Australian citizenship.
Peterson is a Senior Director for Albright Stonebridge Group
Albright Stonebridge Group
The Albright Stonebridge Group is a global strategy company led by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albrightand former National Security Advisor Samuel Berger, and former Senator Warren Rudman...
, an international strategic consulting firm.