First Lt. Edward Joseph Peterson, Jr., was born 16 November 1917 to Edward J. and Mabel Peterson, spending his early years in Loveland and Berthoud, Colorado, until his family moved to Denver. He had two younger siblings, Maurice and Marjie. He attended school at Stevens Elementary and Morey Junior High School. In 1931, the family moved to Englewood, where he completed junior and senior high school, graduating from Englewood High School in 1935. In high school he excelled in academics and athletics. He was Head Boy of the high school and was ranked number five academically in his graduating class. Ed attained the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts. As a member of Demolay, he was responsible for the founding of the Englewood Chapter of Demolay. He was also a member of the Englewood Masonic Lodge. Ed attended the University of Denver, graduating in 1939 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. He continued his education receiving a Master of Arts degree in 1940. While he was studying for his master’s degree, Ed worked three part time jobs--for the University, the post office, and for an auto supply company. At this time, Ed became actively interested in aviation. He enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at the Walt Higley Flying School. Flying became an all-consuming part of his life during this period. Ed met his wife-to-be, Ruth Wallrich, while in the CPT program. Ruth, a native of Alamosa, Colorado, was a licensed pilot. He then enlisted in the Aviation Cadet program and was ordered to report for basic flight training on 19 March 1941. He and Ruth were married on 17 March in Alamosa and left for California and his initial assignment. Upon completing his flight training on 31 October 1941, Ed was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Force. He then was assigned to the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron at Colorado Springs Army Air Base, and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 1 February 1942. He was placed on orders as Operations Officer on 26 July 1942. On Saturday, 8 August 1942, as Ed was taking off on a local flight, he was killed. As the squadron test pilot, he was making a routine test flight following an engine change. The left engine of the Lockheed F-4 (photo version of the P-38) failed and he crashed at 1130. Upon impact, the aircraft burst into flames. He was removed from the aircraft by base fire personnel, and taken to Glockner (now Penrose) Hospital. Ed had received extensive burns on his head, chest, and lower body. His last wish prior to losing consciousness was that he would be able to fly again. He died at 1500 hours. At Ruth’s request, his remains were cremated and scattered over Pike’s Peak from an F-4. Ruth was also pregnant at the time and in January 1943 Vicki Lea was born. Ed was considered an outstanding pilot, as well as a personal favorite of officers and enlisted men alike. Colorado Springs Army Air Base was renamed Peterson Field in his honor on 13 December 1942. It was subsequently renamed Peterson Air Force Base. It is now the home of the U.S. Air Force Space Command, one of the most important facilities of the U.S. Air Force.