New naval destroyer to be named after first African-American aviator - USMC Life

Excerpt: In 1952, Petersen was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He would go on to fly 350 combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He also went on to become the first African-American in the Marine Corps to command a fighter squadron, an air group and a major base.
Petersen retired from the Marine Corps in 1988 after 38 years of service. At the time of his retirement he was, by date of designation, the senior-ranking aviator in the Marine Corps and the United States Navy.


Too bad he died before he was able to receive such an honor.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs SSgt Stephen Ford CPT Jack Durish SGT (Join to see) SSG Jessica Bautista PO1 John Crafton Cpl George Crab Capt Tom Brown @Joe S. Davis SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG Jarrod Stover