Roger Holt Peterson

MAJOR ROGER HOLT PETERSON
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron: CS-08
Years of Service: 17

Originally from Indianola, Iowa, Roger Holt Peterson was born on May 2, 1935. Raised in the heartland, he earned a Senatorial appointment to the newly established United States Air Force Academy, joining the pioneer Class of 1959. Assigned to Cadet Squadron 08, Roger excelled both academically and athletically. An avid sportsman, he competed on the cadet basketball team and was an active member of the Ski Club, where he served two years as a Club Officer, helping build the early foundation of cadet recreational activities at the Academy. On June 3, 1959, he graduated as part of the Academy's historic inaugural class.

MILITARY SERVICE & AVIATION CAREER

Following graduation, Roger entered Pilot Training from 1959 to 1960. Upon earning his pilot wings, he entered the Strategic Air Command (SAC) aerial refueling community, playing a vital role in supporting global strike capabilities and nuclear deterrence missions during the height of the Cold War.

From 1961 to 1965, he served as a pilot with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron at Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, flying KC-135 Stratotankers. He subsequently transferred to the 34th Air Refueling Squadron, serving at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska (1965–1966), and Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire (1966–1968). In 1969, Roger was assigned to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC) command structure, contributing to operational planning and air support during the Vietnam War era. Over the course of his 17 years of military service, Major Peterson accumulated significant flight hours in high-demand operational environments, earning the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (1st OLC), and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

CIVILIAN CAREER & ENGINEERING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

After transitioning from active duty, Roger pursued post-graduate studies at the University of California in 1972. Demonstrating a keen mechanical aptitude, he attended the Teterboro School of Aeronautics from 1975 to 1976, earning his Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification.

He applied his technical expertise to specialized automated machinery engineering in the civilian sector. From 1977 to 1978, he worked as an automated packaging machine maintenance technician for J.L. Prescott Co. in Passaic, New Jersey. He then joined Mayflower Electronic Devices Inc. in Little Ferry, New Jersey, where he served as a Service Engineer from 1978 to 1987, before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, with Automated Textile Systems (1987–1989). In 1989, Roger relocated to Virginia to serve as a Research & Development (R&D) Engineer at Hitex Corporation in Lynchburg, where he continued designing and refining industrial technologies until 1998.

LEGACY

Roger Holt Peterson passed away of medical causes in Forest, Virginia, on September 25, 1998. Remembered by his classmates for his dedication, mechanical ingenuity, and steadfast service to the nation, Roger remains a revered member of the USAFA "First Class" of 1959.

EDUCATION

• B.S., Military Science — United States Air Force Academy (1959)
• Post-Graduate Studies — University of California (1972)
• Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate — Teterboro School of Aeronautics (1975–1976)

DECORATIONS & MEDALS

• Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Air Force Commendation Medal

SERVICE & PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENTS


1959–1960 Pilot Training U.S. Air Force Various
1961–1965 KC-135 Pilot 99th Air Refueling Squadron Westover AFB, MA
1965–1966 KC-135 Pilot 34th Air Refueling Squadron Offutt AFB, NE
1966–1968 KC-135 Pilot 34th Air Refueling Squadron Pease AFB, NH
1969 Pilot / Staff CINCPAC Command Staff Pacific Theater
1972 Post-Graduate Student University of California CA
1975–1976 Student / A&P Training Teterboro School of Aeronautics Teterboro, NJ
1977–1978 Mechanical & Maintenance Tech J.L. Prescott Co. Passaic, NJ
1978–1987 Service Engineer Mayflower Electronic Devices Inc. Little Ferry, NJ
1987–1989 Service Engineer Automated Textile Systems Charlotte, NC
1989–1998 R&D Engineer Hitex Corporation Lynchburg, VA