Frank E. Petersen, Jr. Ship Christening
Today, the U.S. Navy christened its newest guided-missile destroyer in honor of the first African-American Marine aviator, Lt. Gen. Frank E....
The future USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. is the first ship named in honor of Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen Jr., the first African-American Marine Corps aviator and the first African-American Marine Corps officer promoted to brigadier general. When he retired in 1988 after 38 years of service, he was, by date of designation, the senior-ranking aviator in the Marine Corps and the United States Navy.
