Lonnie Ortega Aviation Art

Capt. Richard "BUD" Peterson

357th F.G./364th F.S. (15.50)

"Bud" Peterson scored his first victory flying P-51s with the 357^th Fighter Group, when he brought down a long-nose Fw190D in March of 1944. At the tender age of 21 he became the Leiston based Group's 10th Ace. Flying his well-known Mustang "Hurry Home Honey" he finished the war as top-scorer of the 364^th Fighter Squadron. "Bud" Peterson's total of 15.50 aerial victories included every Luftwaffe piston-engine type that flew in World War II.