Instinct sends us a link to the New York Times which reports the sad news that the first black Marine Corps general, Frank E. Peterson has passed at the age of 83 a year ago this week.
Frank E. Petersen Jr., who suffered bruising racial indignities as a military enlistee in the 1950s and was even arrested at an officers’ club on suspicion of impersonating a lieutenant, but who endured to become the first black aviator and the first black general in the Marine Corps, died on Tuesday at his home in Stevensville, Md., near Annapolis. He was 83.
The cause was lung cancer, his wife, Alicia, said.
[…]
[I]n 1952, Mr. Petersen…was commissioned as a second lieutenant and the Marines’ first black aviator. He would go on to fly 350 combat missions during two tours, in Korea and Vietnam (he safely bailed out after his F-4 Phantom was shot down in 1968), and to become the first of his race in the corps to command a fighter squadron (the famous Black Knights), an air group and a major base.
He retired in 1988 after 38 years of service as a Lieutenant General (3-stars) and as the senior aviator in the Department of the Navy. He was the commander of the Combat Development Command in Quantico, Va., and special assistant to the chief of staff.
Comments
38 responses to “Frank E. Peterson passes”
Rest in peace, sir.
Rest Well Sir
Salute…
RIP Marine.
And BZ for a job well done.
He died a year ago and we are just now hearing about it??
No Jonn posted it last year also http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=61598
I do believe a few of us read Stars and Stripes and this was in today’s feed so a bunch of us sent it in not realizing it happened last year.
RIP Marine… thank you for your cerise and a job well done, Sir!
SALUTE
This man is a role model. Whiny overpaid entitled NFL “players” are not.
Rest in peace Sir. You’ve earned it.
What you said!
Lieutenant General Petersen died last year, on 25 August. Just change it to the first anniversary of his death and you’re good to go. His is a life and career worth recalling.
Well, it’s news to me, so….
http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=61598
Funny that I can forget what I write after 6,000 posts.
My oh my it’s still worth celebrating and remembering every year
Odd thing is Stars and Stripes had a front page on him this morning
And that’s what I wrote:”His is a life and career worth recalling.”
Line up and kiss ass,now. I pointed out that the man died a year ago. John Kerry says I shouldn’t have mentioned it.
Someone posted a meme on da Facebook side that sums up what these morons would like us to do
???
Mostly, I’m embarrassed that I got busted. I usually catch these things.
???
Rest in peace, General. Thanks for giving thousands – of all races – a good example to follow.
Simper Fidelus, requiem in pace.
BMLM
Semper Fidelis and Requiescat in Pace, General.
Salute Sir.
RIP
Rest well, sir.
You earned it as you set the example.
That is a No Fucking around face right there.
RIP General
Thank you for being my role model Marine. Oooorah
In Every Clime & Place
When LTG Peterson left us the warriors in Valhalla gained a leader. respectfully, Alemaster
I am humbled by men and women such as this.
When I read about guys like this, it makes me want to slap that whiny little @*&% Colin Kaepernick even harder.
Who?
“…that such men lived”
The ultimate role model.
I wish we had a few more like this…..
Shame the same can’t be said about the current occupant at 1600 Penna. Ave.
We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men [and women] stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.
He was the CG of Quantico when I was stationed there. Have a few LOA and citations signed by him somewhere. Common sense leader. I remember that if you weren’t considered essential personnel he would have commanders send you home as soon as snow started sprinkling.
One story I remember is that he stayed on flight status and flew several missions with cracked vertebrae in his back. Because Bad Ass… thats why.
Semper Fi, Sir.
Worth remembering, every year.
RIP
Jonn, don’t beat yourself up too much. General Petesen’s life is one worth remembering. Semper Fi, Bravo Zulu and Than You for your sacrifice and efforts sir. You are truly a credit to your race: bythat I mean the Human Race. May God Grant you Peace and that we may be worthy sir.