World War II Honoree

Jacob Peterson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Central Islip, New York

Honored By

Michael McTiernan

He was inducted into the Army Air Forces at Camp Upton, New York. His basic training was completed at Kessler Field, Mississippi and at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He attended Aerial Engineers, Aerial Photography and Aerial Gunnery Schools. From Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, he left for service in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. From the island of New Caledonia, as photographer, he began his stretch of twenty eight missions against the enemy. At the Rabaul strike his plane was shot down. He survived with a broken leg and torn arm. He participated in the Northern Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, New Guinea and Central Pacific Campaigns. His Decorations and Citations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Flying Cross, Silver Star Medal, Air Medal with the Seven Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with four Battle Stars, American Theatre Ribbon and the WWII Victory Medal. On September 23, 1945, he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross by Governor Dewey of New York. On February 2, 1947, he was discharged from the Halloran General Hospital, Staten Island, New York.