May 2022 — M2CC Newsletter
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
2 | <strong>M2CC</strong> - News www.m2cc.us MAY <strong>2022</strong> EDITION<br />
Navy Christens Destroyer Named for First Black<br />
Marine General Officer<br />
CHARLESTON, South Carolina <strong>—</strong> With<br />
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro calling<br />
it “the very best ship that our nation has to<br />
offer,” the U.S. Navy christened Aegis-class<br />
destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG<br />
121) during ceremonies in Charleston, S.C.,<br />
Saturday.<br />
The Petersen, built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in<br />
Pascagoula, is named in honor of U.S. Marine<br />
Corps Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen Jr., the first<br />
black Marine Corps aviator and the first black<br />
Marine to rise to the rank of three-star general.<br />
Serving two combat tours <strong>—</strong> Korea in 1953<br />
and Vietnam in 1968 <strong>—</strong> Petersen flew more<br />
than 350 combat missions and had over 4,000<br />
hours in multiple fighter and attack aircraft.<br />
In 1979, Petersen was promoted to brigadier<br />
general, becoming the first Black general<br />
officer in the Marine Corps. He retired in 1988,<br />
with awards and honors including the Defense<br />
Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with<br />
Combat “V”, Distinguished Flying Cross;<br />
Purple Heart; Meritorious Service Medal,<br />
Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with<br />
Combat “V”, and the Air Force Commendation<br />
Medal.<br />
Petersen died in August 2015 at the age of 83.<br />
He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Change language