Pete Pettigrew
Rear Admiral Pete "Viper" Pettigrew was born as Kenneth Pettigrew and a native of Glencoe, Illinois. He graduated from Stanford University in June 1964, under the Regular NROTC Program with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Science. While at Stanford, he was twice selected as an All-American in swimming and water polo and was a member of the 1963 National Championship water polo team. He reported to flight training in November 1964 and was designated a naval aviator in June 1966. He retired as a Rear Admiral and a former Navy aviator (more than 325 combat missions) and a Top Gun instructor.
Hollywood Career
He is known for his work on Hollywood movies Top Gun (1986) and Danger Zone: The Making of 'Top Gun' (2004). From 1983 until 1986 he was employed by Paramount Pictures, working as the technical advisor on the feature "TOP GUN". He also made a cameo appearance in the film.
Military Career
As a lieutenant commander (O-4), he flew F-4J Phantoms with Navy Fighter Squadron 114, from the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, off North Vietnam. On 6 May 1972, he and his wingman engaged four North Vietnamese MiG-21 fighters. In a 90-second dogfight (because both were low on fuel), he shot down one MiG, his leader got another, and both F-4s disengaged without an enemy shot fired.
Upon completion of Fleet Replacement Training at VF-121, RADM Pettigrew reported to VF-151 flying the F-4 "Phantom II." He served 24 months with the "Vigilantes", completing two 10- month combat cruises aboard USS CORAL SEA (CV-43). In April 1969, he reported to VF-121 as the senior Landing Signal Officer (LSD). In 1970 he was sent to the fledgling Navy fighter Weapons School as an air-to-air and air-to-ground instructor. Upon leaving "TOPGUN" in January 1972, he reported to Carrier Air Wing II aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63), for duty as the air wing LSO and it was during the ensuing cruise that he was credited with downing a North Vietnamese MiG-21.
In the Naval Reserve, RADM Pettigrew was initially assigned to VF-302. In 1979, he reported as commanding officer of VF-1285 and followed this tour as commanding officer of VF- 302 from 1980 to 1982. He was then assigned as program manager for the F/A-18 "Hornet", spearheading its introduction into the Naval Reserve. He served as commanding officer of NAVAlRPAC 1094 from 1986 to 1988. Selected for Flag Rank in 1990, he has been assigned as Commander, Maritime Defense Force, Aleutian Islands, Deputy Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Deputy Third Fleet Commander and as Commander, Naval Reserve Readiness Command, Region Eleven. His last assignment before retiring was Deputy CINCLANTFLT.
Since release from active duty in August of 1973, RADM Pettigrew has been employed by US Airways (formerly Pacific Southwest Airlines) where he has been retired since 2002. RADM Pettigrew has played an active role in the Airline Pilots Association serving six years as Master Executive Council Chairman for the PSA pilots and two years as Executive Vice President of the National Airline Pilots Associations.
As a veteran of over 375 combat missions in Southeast Asia, RADM Pettigrew has been awarded the Silver Star, the Joint Superior Service Medal the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service' Medals, 30 Air Medals, and two Navy Commendation Medals. His over 3,400 hours in fighter aircraft include over 3,000 in the F-4 "Phantom."
Open Water Swimming
Pettigrew is an avid triathlete and a masters swimmer. He teamed up with Bill Crane, Dan Henry, Steve Cross, Steve Dockstader, and Tony Joseph to set a new record for a 70+ age group men’s relay across the Catalina Channel in 10 hours 57 minutes on 24 September 2014 in a relay called Swell Guys Too.
