The First Black Marine Pilot, Frank E. Petersen Jr., Dies At 83

Source: The Washington Post / Getty

The New York Daily News reports that Frank E. Petersen Jr. died earlier this week on Tuesday 25th August. Petersen was the first Black marine corps aviator and brigadier.

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It’s hard to believe that it was not that long ago the military was segregated. In fact, until 1948 at the executive order  decision of President Truman, the military was still segregated. Mind you the United States had fought in not one but two world wars. Of course within the United States, segregation was simply the order of the day.

Reportedly, Petersen enlisted in the Navy in 1950, two years after Truman’s executive order. According to the Washington Post, because his score was so high, the officer overseeing the test asked him to re-take the test. Of course, Petersen did well again. Petersen was reportedly motivated to join the armed forced after the death of death of Jesse Brown, the Navy’s first Black aviator who had died in the Korean war.

Of course Petersen faced racism in the military and in the South where he received his flight training. He prevailed against it all and became a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He would later receive the Purple Heart for his tour in Vietnam. His career would involve over 4000 hours in flight and attack aircraft and in 1979 was the NAACP’s man of the year. His accomplishments away from the Marine Corps include a bachelor’s degree and a Master’s in international affairs.

He is survived by his wife, children, step children, and grandchildren. To learn more about his life, read the Washing Post’s piece here.

Rest in peace sir.

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