Served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force from 1942 to 1979. A decorated combat pilot, he flew 49 missions in WWII with the 8th Air Force, shooting down a top German Ace and destroying many aircraft/ground/rail targets. He was then shot down and became a POW near Berlin, from which he escaped and spent time fighting with a Russian Tank Unit. He later flew 76 missions during the Korean War and held key Cold War and Vietnam command and operations roles, including assignments with NORAD, NATO, and the Royal Air Force. Over a 36-year career, Peterburs accumulated 4,000 flight hours and earned numerous honors.