Frank Petersen, First African American To Become A Marine Aviator

Frank E. Petersen, Jr. was born on this date in 1932.

Despite enduring racism in the Marines, Frank E. Petersen, Jr., became the first black aviator in the United States Marine Corps.

It wasn’t until the Korean War, in fact, that African Americans served in all the different operations of the military and were involved in all major military actions.

On October 22, 1952, Petersen was commissioned as a Marine aviation officer, the first African American to become a Marine aviator.

He flew 64 combat missions during the Korean War and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and six other air medals before the Korean War finally came to an end.