Nelson airman awarded D.F.C.

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32430, 17 October 1970, Page 2

Nelson airman awarded D.F.C.

(N.Z Press Association/ . NELSON, Oct. 16. ‘ The whitebait were* not running for Hying. Officer D. Peterson, of Richmond, Nelson, today* but the announcement that he had won the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry in Vietnam was “not bad” compensation. The' Governor-General (Sir Arthur Porritt) announced, this morning that Flying Officer Peterson had won the D.F.C. “When my mother firsttold me I laughed," said Flying Officer Peterson, who is having a few days holiday from a flying instructors’

course at Wigram. “The number of New Zealand helicopter pilots in Vietnam is so , small that a pilot seems to : return to New Zealand as a i casualty or else win the i D.F.C,” he said. “This has I become a joke with the pilots.” But his wife, Mrs Lyn Peterson, was ‘-‘very excited” I at the announcement, he said. When told of the award .today. Flying Officer Peterson’s mother-in-law Mrs M. IL. Holland said: “Good heaIvens, what’s that for? He’s never told us anything about i C ’ The citation accompanying (the award says: “Flying Officer Peterson’s outstanding air leadership abilities became apparent I very early in his tour of Vietnam and he quickly attained I the status of utility helicop-

ter mission leader. On February 13 this year, Flying Officer Peterson was controlling the extraction of a series of long-range patrols when one of the aircraft detonated a mine as it was leaving the landing zone after emplaning a patrol. The aircraft was substantially damaged, but apparently still airworthy. After two further attempts to fly it to a secure area had been thwarted by extreme airframe vibration, Flying Officer Peterson directed the pilot to land on a nearby jungle trail. After the landing, Flying Officer Peterson, effected the extraction of the crew, instructed the patrol to establish a defensive perimeter around the downed aircraft, and reinforced the securing party with two other patrols previously taken out from

nearby locations. Flying Officer Peterson also arranged for the eventual recovery of the damaged aircraft. “The dedication, outstanding devotion to duty, courage, and leadership displayed by Flying Officer Peterson throughout his tour reflected credit on him and made a significant contribution to the operational success of No. 9 Squadron.” Flying Officer Peterson, who is 24, joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in January, 1966, And graduated as a pilot with a distinguished pass, and the de Lange Trophy, in April, 1967. He left for Vietnam for duty as a helicopter pilot with No. 9 (Iroquois) Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force in April, 1969, and returned to New Zealand in April this year.