He was rescued from the aircraft by a three-man base crash rescue crew, each of them risking their lives pulling Pete out of the burning wreck. Upon impact, the aircraft burst into flames. Just lifting off the runway, the left engine of his Lockheed P-38 “Lightning” failed and he crashed at 11:30 AM. On Saturday, August 8th, 1942, he was taking off on a routine aircraft test flight following an engine change. He later became the Operations Officer for the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron in July 1942. He was quickly promoted to 1st Lieutenant in February 1942 and assigned to the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron at Colorado Springs Army Air Base in June 1942. Upon completing flight training on October 31, 1941, Ed was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Forces. He then left for Stockton Field, California and his initial assignment. But first, he and Ruth married on March 17th in Alamosa. They shared a love of flying, athletics, and the outdoors.Īfter Pete enlisted in the Army’s Aviation Cadet program, he was ordered to report for basic military flight training in March 1941. Ruth, a native of Alamosa, Colorado, was a licensed pilot. Pete met his future wife, Ruth Wallrich, while in the CPT program. Flying became an all-consuming part of Ed Peterson’s life during this period. The CPT was a program sponsored by then US President Franklin Roosevelt to build up a pool of potential military pilots should the US enter World War II, which had been raging in Europe since 1939. He enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at the Walt Higley Flying School. While studying for his master’s degree, he worked three part-time jobs one for the university, another for the post office, and another for an auto supply company.Īt this time, Pete became actively interested in aviation. He continued his education, receiving a Master of Arts degree in 1940. Pete attended Denver University, graduating in 1939 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. He was also a member of the Englewood Masonic Lodge. Known today as DeMolay International, this organization is dedicated to preparing young men to lead successful, happy, and productive lives. Pete attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts, and he was responsible for the founding of the Englewood Chapter of the Order of DeMolay. He was ranked number five academically in his graduating class. He was a guard and end on the football team, and was also on the track team.
In high school, he excelled in academics and athletics. In 1931, the family moved to South Sherman Street in Englewood, where he completed junior and senior high school, graduating from Englewood High School in 1935. He attended school at Stevens Elementary and Morey Junior High School. Peterson, Jr., a Colorado native, is the namesake of Peterson Air Force Base.Įdward “Pete” Peterson was born November 16th, 1917, spending his early years in Loveland and Berthoud, Colorado, until his family moved to Denver. World War II Army Air Forces 1st Lieutenant Edward J.
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