PETERSON, DONALD F. – LIEUTENANT COLONEL, U.S. ARMY
Class of 1948Service: U.S. Army
Service Dates: 1952-1979
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
MOS: Helicopter Pilot
Notable: 2nd Combat Infantry Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, 2nd Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star.
Don graduated high school from New Hanover High School in 1948 and from North Carolina State College in 1952 with a degree in forest management. In 1951 he married his high school sweetheart, Glenn Hufham, of Wilmington. Upon graduation, Don received a Regular Army Commission through the ROTC program. His Army career began as an infantry soldier with the 31st Infantry Regiment in Korea. Don earned his pilot wings and served as an Army Aviator at several commands located across the US, from New York to Hawaii including tours in Virginia at Ft. Eustis and Ft. Monroe. He and Glenn brought three sons into the world in 1953, 1955 and 1957. Don served two tours in Vietnam, with the 1st Brigade 101st Airborne Division and the XXIV Corps. His awards and decorations include 2nd Combat Infantry Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, 2nd Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star.
Don retired from the Army in the fall of 1979 and moved back to Wilmington to be near Glenn’s brother and sister. He served his community through the Citizen’s Solid Waste Task Force Committee, the Good Shepherd House, Meals on Wheels, the Port City Kiwanis Club and the B.P.O. Elks 532. Don and Glenn spent many years enjoying their friends and family in their long-term home, traveling often to visit their three sons and other friends and family scattered around the country. In 2010, they sold their home of over 30 years to downsize and begin retirement community living.
Accolades: Pilot and served as an Army Aviator at several commands located across the US, from New York to Hawaii including tours in Virginia at Ft. Eustis and Ft. Monroe. Served two tours in Vietnam, with the 1st Brigade 101st Airborne Division and the XXIV Corps. His awards and decorations include 2nd Combat Infantry Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, 2nd Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star.
Accolades: Pilot and served as an Army Aviator at several commands located across the US, from New York to Hawaii including tours in Virginia at Ft. Eustis and Ft. Monroe. Served two tours in Vietnam, with the 1st Brigade 101st Airborne Division and the XXIV Corps. His awards and decorations include 2nd Combat Infantry Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, 2nd Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star.