Major General Chesley G. Peterson (August 10, 1920 – January 28, 1990) was a career officer in the United States Air Force, and a flying ace of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in World War II.

He moved to Los Angeles after being dropped from flight school and was working at Douglas Aircraft when he became interested in flying for the Royal Air Force (RAF), who were at that time recruiting Americans to fight the Germans.

[3] In 1942, Peterson accepted a transfer to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) along with the rest of the Eagle Squadron members.

When Peterson first joined the 4th Fighter Group, they were assigned the P-47 Thunderbolt, which was a radical change from the Spitfires the Eagle Squadron pilots had flown.

His parachute failed, but miraculously Peterson survived both the fall and the dangerous Channel waters.

During his time overseas, Colonel Peterson flew a total of 130 missions and was credited with nine aerial victories and nine probables.

[4] The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Chesley Gordon Peterson, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane and Commanding Officer of the 4th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in May 1943.

With utter disregard for his personal safety and without assistance he immediately engaged the eight enemy aircraft, probably destroying one and damaging another.