World War II Chronicle: September 17, 1942
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When Japan attacked Oahu last December, the American-born Royal Air Force pilots requested to be transferred to the Pacific Theater. British authorities consulted with the American Ambassador and the fliers learned that they would soon be flying for America. Page 36 reports that 50 American pilots will be transferring to the U.S. Army Air Force. Specifically named is Chesley G. Peterson, who became the RAF’s youngest squadron commander at 21-years-old. We discussed the Peterson is reportedly an ace and has earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and Distinguished Service Order.
According to his U.S. Air Force bio Peterson flew “130 combat sorties over the English Channel into enemy territory. Additionally, he scored at least nine enemy kills, plus nine probables; became the youngest full colonel in the U.S. Army Air Forces at the age of 23; and survived a 500-foot fall into the English Channel when his parachute failed to open after bailing out of a crippled P-47 Thunderbolt.”
Sports section begins on page 19
Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), 17 September 1942. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-09-17/ed-1/
