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Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
L.
Petit

Home:

Berkeley

, 

California

After serving as a Fighter Pilot in the Army Air Forces in World War II, Robert Petit transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1975 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    70th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    35th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 153 (June 23, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Robert L. Petit (ASN: 0-429849), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 70th Pursuit Squadron, 35th Pursuit Group, Far East Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Petit, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    March 21, 1972 – February 28, 1975
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-1322 (December 26, 1974)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Robert L. Petit, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander of Sheppart Technical Training Center during the period 21 March 1972 to 28 February 1975. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Petit culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Robert L. Petit, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 70th Pursuit Squadron, in action in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations from 1942 to 1943; and subsequently with the 1st Air Commandos in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations from 1943 to 1944, and completion of 151 combat missions. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Robert L. Petit, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 70th Pursuit Squadron, in action in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations from 1942 to 1943; and subsequently with the 1st Air Commandos in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations from 1943 to 1944, and completion of 151 combat missions. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Robert L. Petit, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Petit and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1970 – 1972

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Robert L. Petit, United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters Pacific Air Force, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, from 1970 to 1972. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Petit and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Robert L. Petit, United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Petit and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    70th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    35th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 45 (February 15, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert L. Petit (ASN: 0-429849), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 70th Pursuit Squadron, 35th Pursuit Group, Far East Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Petit, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.