(1916–Date of loss 1951)
World War II Bomber Pilot • United States Air Force Reserve
Photo restored by Herk Schmidt
Captain Walter Peterson was a decorated World War II bomber pilot and a respected member of the Sandwich community.
World War II Service
During World War II, Peterson flew thirty combat missions over Europe as a B-17 pilot. His service earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight.
Like many of his generation, he returned home after the war carrying the experience of sustained combat service in the European theater.
Return to Civilian Life
After the war, Peterson farmed briefly before joining the Otto Machine Company south of Sandwich. His postwar years reflected the quiet transition common to many veterans, from global conflict back to productive civilian life.
He was married and the father of three children.
Reserve Service and Loss in 1951
Peterson remained active in the United States Air Force Reserve and was recalled to duty in March 1951 during the Korean War.
He was among the 53 men aboard a C-124 transport aircraft that departed Maine en route to England as part of Strategic Air Command’s expansion. The aircraft was lost in the Atlantic Ocean after a reported fire and emergency ditching.
Despite rescue efforts involving aircraft, ships, and naval vessels, no survivors were recovered.
Captain Walter Peterson’s life stands as a testament to a generation that answered the call in World War II and again during the uncertain early years of the Cold War.
In March 1951, Captain Peterson was among the men lost in the Atlantic C-124 disaster.
Sandwich Airmen Lost at Sea
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