Posted on 11/28/2016 6:45:47 PM PST by Brad from Tennessee
TOPEKA, Kan. — A U.S. Navy destroyer warship has been named in honor of a Topeka three-star general who became the first black aviator, first black general and first black base commander in the Marine Corps.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the destroyer, which is under construction, would bear the name of Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen Jr., according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Petersen enlisted in the Navy in 1950, and left in 1952 to accept a commission as a second lieutenant and become the first black pilot in the Marine Corps. He flew over 350 combat missions and more than 4,000 military aircraft hours throughout the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
"The courage and perseverance of Lt. Gen. Petersen throughout his distinguished and groundbreaking career make him especially deserving of this honor," Mabus said when he announced the honor Nov. 9. "Those who serve aboard DDG 121 will, for decades, carry on the storied legacy of this Marine Corps hero. . ."
(Excerpt) Read more at realcleardefense.com ...
Gen. Petersen accomplished almost as much as Gabby Giffords.
Naming the USS Frank E. Peterson is probably the first thing Secretary Mabus has done that I agree with. A fine Marine died last year, and DDG-121 is his fitting tribute. May she find fair winds and following seas, and take the fight to our enemies...
Of course, it's baby Chicago right now.
“Topeka, KS (hometown) FTW.
Of course, it’s baby Chicago right now.”
I’m no fan of Topeka but I would give the baby Chicago title to Wichita, home of the Carr brothers and the BTK killer.
Makes as much sense as a new Seebee transport ship, USS Rachel Corrie.
Oh hell yes! This is good, very good. A warrior is honored for his service. That is the way it is supposed to be.
A bit of history from WWII.
One of my friends was a P38 pilot flying out of North Africa. His aircraft got shot up bad over Italy. He fell behind. He was on the radio calling for help. German fighters were trying to finish him off, he was in deep sh--! It was the Red Tails (black Tuskhegee airmen in P51 Mustangs) that saved his ass. I assume they had been on bomber escort at the time.
He was a Southern Boy from Louisiana. I asked him how he felt about black pilots saving him. His answer was those (N word) looked real good that day. He used that word not in prejudice but that was just the way he talked. He loved them for saving him. If the role were reversed he would have also laid down his life for them. They all were warriors. My friend has long since left this earth. I hope he is drinking whiskey with his brother warriors from the Red Tail Squadron.
Wait. What? A reasonable choice? How’d that happen?
Mabus must have been stinking skunk dunk, falling down in his own puke ... Nothing else can explain that turd getting something right.
Very cool story!
At least the destroyer was not named after an Obama black queer who took it bent over in the Navy showers so many times that he was admired by Barney Frank.Easily could have been.
Peterson was a true hero. At least Obama is trying hard to go out with some kind of class, but its way too little, way too late.Obama will forever be known to history as the Arab Spring, community organizing, socialist Alinsky ideologue who betrayed America and her allies, a mere psychopomp.
I think the ship should be named the USS Obama.( sarc.)
I met Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen Jr. in Iwakuni, Japan 84-85. I was a young Marine CPL on my first far east tour, he flew our aircraft the MAG-12, H&MS-12 Outlaws(OA-4M Skyhawk’s) to keep current in the TMS in think he was a Phantom Pilot by trade.
The poor man was an innocent victim, assaulted when bending down to retrieve a bar of soap.
The poor man was an innocent victim, assaulted when bending down to retrieve a bar of soap. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Tell it to Reggie Love.( Grin)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.