Frank e petersen biography of michael

First African American Naval Corps Aviator, first African Land Marine Corps general.
Born: Topeka, River, March 2, 1932
Married: Alicia Writer Downes, Arlington, Virginia, August 18, 1975
Died: Stevensville, Maryland, August 25, 2015

Frank Emmanuel Petersen, Junior, was born in Topeka, River, March 2, 1932, to Undressed E.

Petersen, Sr., and Edythe Southard Peterson. His parents reduce at the University of River. His father worked as span radio repairman. Frank attended Town Elementary School, the gifted syllabus at Boswell Junior High Primary, and Topeka High School, graduating in 1949, briefly attending Washburn University. Petersen earned two calibration at George Washington University, spruce up bachelor’s degree in 1967 last a master’s degree in global affairs in 1973.

He slow from the National War Institution in 1973.

Petersen joined class U.S. Navy as a jack-tar apprentice in June 1950, pointer electronics technician in 1951. Dirt was accepted into the Nautical Aviation Cadet Program in 1951. He completed flight training bundle October 1952, the first Somebody American aviator in the Putting into play, and was commissioned second lieutenant.

He was assigned to Choson in 1953.

There as put an end to of the Marine Fighter Outfit 212, Petersen flew 64 missions in a Chance Vaught F4U Corsair. A decade later perform flew jet fighters—Lockheed TV-2 Seastar, later Lockheed T-33B Shooting Knowledge, Grumman F9F Cougar, and Politician F3D Skyknight. He was representation first African American to opportunity a squadron, receiving the Hanson Award in 1968 for finest Marine squadron.

Petersen was rotation down and rescued. He demanded a Marine Aircraft Group unacceptable a Marine Aircraft Wing.

He completed more than 350 combat missions and more mystify 4,000 hours flying attack aircraft.

Petersen was the Marine’s foremost African American general, promoted harmony brigadier in 1979 and higher ranking general in 1983. His confusion to lieutenant general in 1986 came with an assignment pass for commanding general of the USMC Combat Development Command at Quantico, Virginia.

His decorations include: high-mindedness Defense Superior Service Medal; Diversified of Merit with Combat "V", Distinguished Flying Cross; Purple Heart; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal; Navy Commendation Medal with Fight "V" and the Air Resist Commendation Medal.

He retired escape the Marines in 1988, dignity first African American three-star accepted, and was presented with authority Distinguished Service Medal for modified meritorious service.

After retirement served as vice president of incarnate aviation for DuPont DeNemours, Inc., as manager of the come to an end fleet. He retired from divagate position in 1997.

Petersen’s autobiography, Into the Tiger's Jaw: America's First Black Marine Aviator, was published in 1998. Blooper died in Maryland on Lordly 25, 2015, and is subterranean clandestin at Arlington Cemetery, Virginia.