Virgil Lee Peterson (22 September 1882 – 15 February 1956) was an Inspector General of the United States Army.

Peterson was born on 22 September 1882 in Raywick, Kentucky, and attended Centre College, where he played football and received a Bachelor of Science in 1902.

He was stationed with the 3rd Battalion of Engineers at Fort Leavenworth until 9 March 1911, during which he performed various duties and embarked on several short map-making tours in Ohio and Indiana.

[9] The citation for the medal reads: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Corps of Engineers) Virgil L. Peterson, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I.

[7] At the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Peterson was a student from August 1924 to June 1925.

[11] As chief of the section, he oversaw the study of projects, preparation of correspondence, and recommendations in all matters relating to the establishment of and changes in harbor lines; the removal of wrecks and other obstructions to navigation; the bridging of navigable waters; the supervision of New York Harbor; the lakes survey; the water supply and the public buildings and grounds of Washington, D.C.; the preservation of Niagara Falls; the national parks; and other miscellaneous matters.

[11] From March 1938 to February 1940, Peterson was chief of staff at the headquarters of the Sixth Corps Area in Chicago.

[15][16] He was charged by George C. Marshall, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, to investigate whether training and maneuvers knowledge were adequate among soldiers.

[18] He was hesitant towards the Psychological Warfare Division in its early stages, feeling it provided unclear value to the army; Peterson's recommendations led to changes in the structure of the department.

[19] The amount of work began to affect his health, and after having a heart attack, was reassigned to the Army Service Corps.

[20] He received the Army Distinguished Service Medal (presented as an oak leaf cluster) for his work as Inspector General.

[6] In his column Washington Merry-Go-Round, Drew Pearson claimed that Peterson was "not a brilliant success," and he received his post of Inspector General as a result of his friendship with Edwin Watson.