Forrest S. Petersen
| Forrest S. Petersen | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Birth name | Forrest Silas Petersen |
| Born |
May 16, 1922 Holdrege, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | December 8, 1990 (aged 68) Georgetown, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1944–1980 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held |
Naval Air Systems Command USS Enterprise |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star |
Forrest Silas Petersen (May 16, 1922 – December 8, 1990), (VADM, USN), was a United States Navy aviator and test pilot.
Born May 16, 1922, in Holdrege, Nebraska, he was the son of Elmer and Stella Petersen, and was raised in Gibbon, Nebraska. He graduated from Gibbon High School in 1939. Prior to his admission to the United States Naval Academy, he attended the University of Nebraska for two years.
He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1944 with a Naval Science degree, and was commissioned as an Ensign, and reported to the destroyer USS Caperton. While serving aboard USS Caperton he participated in campaigns in the Philippines, Formosa and Okinawa. After graduation from flight training in 1947, he was assigned to Fighting Squadron Twenty Able which was later redesignated Fighter Squadron 192.
Petersen graduated from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in July 1950. He continued studies for one year at Princeton University and received a Master of Science degree in Engineering. From 1953 to 1956 he served with Fighter Squadron 51. In 1956 he was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, and remained as an instructor following graduation.
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