Retired Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen Jr. was born March 2, 1932, in Topeka. Early in his career, he served two years in the Navy before being commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1952. His career stretched through the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam and he flew more than 350 combat missions and more than 4,000 military aircraft hours.
Petersen earned repeated recognition for his service, receiving the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with valor device, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal.