Tribute to Major Richard A. Peterson – 364th FS Top Gun
Captain Richard Peterson in the cockpit of his P-51B “Hurry Home Honey”
Major Richard A. Peterson joined the startup 357th FG at Tonopah, NV, as a new 2nd Lt and pilot. When the group reached England and became operational in February, 1944, “Pete” or “Bud” soon began scoring victories, which lead to him becoming the Top Gun of the 364th FS. Pete completed the war with 15.5 victories flying 150 combat missions in two tours. At 21, he was a Major and earned many awards including several Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medals and the Silver Star. All of Pete’s Mustangs were named Hurry Home Honey after the way his wife Elaine signed off her letters to him! After the war, Pete became a distinguished architect and passed away on June 4th, 2000. Many thanks to Pete’s son Judd, who graciously shared Pete’s amazing gun camera film and other interesting photos!
Cadet Richard A Peterson and Cadet Jim Jago
Pete with family
Top Gun Major Richard A Peterson
P-51B Hurry Home Honey
P-51B Hurry Home Honey 43-6935 lost 20 June 1944 with Lt Heyward Spinks
Pete landing P-51 Tangerine
Pete and Armorer Ken Arveson
Pete talking flying tactics with a B-17 crew. This gathering occurred on June 18, 1944 after Pete Peterson escorted the bomber back to England. In gratitude, the bomber crew picked him up at his base in Leiston, England, and let him fly their bomber back to their base for a "thank you" party in gratitude for his escort efforts. A subsequent story about this escort and other similar ones by Pete Peterson was written up and published in the Chicago Tribune entitled "Shepherd of the Sky".
Pete with his beloved Hurry Home Honey
Hurry Home Home photo taken from the waist gunner position on a B-17
Pete with fellow 364th FS pilots.
WWII Photo of P-51D Hurry Home Honey
In mid February 1945, P-51D version of Hurry Home Honey after some serious dogfighting and then landing at an abandoned German airbase in Auxerre, France looking for more fuel for his squadron. Patton had just liberated the town, and shared some tank fuel with them to get them back to their base in Leiston, England.
L-R Lt Hollis Nowlin, Lt Mark Steelton, Pete and Lt Lewis Fecher in the Fall of 1944.
Pete and crew
Pete Peterson Triple Ace
Pete Peterson's A-2 leather flight jacket.
Back of Jacket
Inside Jacket
Pete's WWII Leather Flight Helmet
Close up of Pete's name tag and 364th Squadron Patch
Pete's life preserver vest "Mae West"
Pete signing books and photos
Pete's WWII Awards L-R French Croix de Guerre with a star, Silver Star, Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross
A section of the leading edge of Hurry Home Honey's right wing with damage caused by shrapnel from a flak burst.
Air Force Art Work - pencil drawing created by Willie Jones, Jr.
Pete and wingman Roland Wright who shot down an ME-262 jet. See link to story below.
Master Architect, Richard Peterson!
Hurry Home Honey Panel Art
Close up
Front View P-51D restored in Hurry Home Honey livery. Owned by Tom Harmon
Pete in the cockpit of the restored P-51D Hurry Home Honey
P-51D restored in Hurry Home Honey livery. Owned by Tom Harmon
Hurry Home Honey close up.
Pete and Elaine with P-51D Mustang restored as his beloved Hurry Home Honey
Hurry Home Honey
Major Richard Peterson of the 364th FS, 357th FG in his P-51D engages Fw190s at altitude, 1944 by Steven Heyen
Last man home by artist Nicholas Trudgian
Richard and Elaine's beautiful headstone!
Story of Pete Peterson and Roland Wright’s Victory against an ME-262
Amazing story of Richard Peterson P-39 Flight that ended up in Mexico
Aces of the 357th FG
Top Guns of the 357th FG Peterson, Carson, England and Anderson
