Dad was originally supposed to fly P-51's in combat but him and a few of the fellows got transitioned over to flying the P-47. At first they were none too happy about it but came to love the durability of the aircraft.



On 12 June 1944, Edwin H Peters, flying P-47 42-25768, was forced to bail out over Channel after being hit by a FW 109. He was rescued but suffered serious injury as his left leg was cut off just below the knee as he exited the aircraft. He floated for about 45 minutes until rescued by a British rescue boat. On the 16th as dad was in an RAF hospital in the south of London, Doc Canipelli and Lt Col Blickenstaff flew down to visit him. Dad knew his flying days were over but he wanted to at least stay and run the snack bar back on base. A reporter came to take pictures and talk to dad about what happened. He asked dad how he was doing with missing the leg. Dad stated that he was doing fine, that he had a bad corn on that foot anyways.



He arrived back in the states and because he had such an interesting story about his last mission that he was toured around the states promoting war bonds and he told his story on the Mutual of Omaha Radio Program.



He lived a good life after the service. Had lots of kids, worked for the state of California, and retired down to Baja, Mexico (He taught himself Spanish). Dad died in the VA hospital in San Diego, Ca. on Feb. 1, 1991 at the age of 69. Death caused by cancer. He is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetary in San Diego, Ca.