Douglas Peterson Oral History
Object NameRecording, Video
Transcript
Narrator
Douglas Peterson
Association
USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)
DateSeptember 18, 2015
MediumMTS, PDF
ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts
Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of Douglas Peterson. OHP.082
Object numberOHP.082
DescriptionDouglas Peterson served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) as an aviator in Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) during Intrepid’s second deployment to Vietnam in 1967. The Museum recorded his oral history interview on September 18, 2015.See transcript for complete interview. Below is a summary:
Peterson began his interview by discussing his interest in airplanes and his desire to fly. He then stated that he entered the Naval Academy in June of 1960, graduated in 1964, and immediately began flight training at Saufley Field in Pensacola, Florida, where he primarily flew the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor. While discussing flight training, Peterson also spoke about his time at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida, where he learned to fly the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk before being assigned to attack squadron VA-34 and serving aboard Intrepid.
The interview then shifted to Intrepid’s deployment to Vietnam in 1967. Peterson began by describing the ship’s passage through the Suez Canal in the midst of the Six Day War. He also discussed his time at Subic Bay and being stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin. Peterson then described life aboard ship, daily interactions with personnel and missions, including road reconnaissance missions and alpha strikes. He also noted one instance during a bombing mission when his plane was struck with anti-aircraft fire, stating that he did not realize his plane was hit until he landed back aboard ship.
As the interview continued, Peterson discussed several other topics including radar countermeasures, anti-war protests and rescue ships. He also stated that after his time aboard Intrepid, he served as an instructor pilot. As the interview came to an end, Peterson noted his separation from the Navy and his job with Wisconsin Power and Light. He also mentioned that he served aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-60) and spoke in detail about his first of several visits to Intrepid after the ship became a museum.
Extents: 7 media files, 29 page transcript
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