Recognizing Lieutenant General Erik Peterson's Service and Retirement

Floor Speech

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Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues Representative Fulcher and Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch to recognize the retirement of Lieutenant General Erik Peterson for his 38 years of exemplary service to our nation.

Lieutenant General Erik Peterson's journey began in Idaho, where he received his education from elementary school to university, ultimately graduating from the University of Idaho's College of Mines and Earth Resources in 1986. Upon graduation he received his Army commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the University of Idaho's Chrisman Battalion.

Nonetheless, his educational career did not end there. He earned Master's Degrees in Business Administration and National Security Strategy. In addition, as part of his professional military education, he completed the Aviation Officer Advanced Course, and attended the Combined Arms Service Staff School, Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.

Throughout his career Lieutenant General Erik Peterson held key command and leadership roles, including four tours with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. He served as the Director of the Flight Concepts Division at Fort Eustis, Virginia, and held roles as Brigade Commander of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade and Chief of Staff for the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. Additionally, he assumed responsibilities as Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Command in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and later as Commanding General at U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His tenure included service as Director of Army Aviation at the Pentagon and Commanding General of Division West of First U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas, which oversaw five brigades and two mobilization sites nationwide. Furthermore, he served as Director of Force Development in G-8.

His military awards and decorations include: 4 Distinguished Service Medals, 4 Legions of Merit, 6 Bronze Star Medals, 5 Meritorious Service Medals, 5 Air Medals Valor Device, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Master Aviator Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

His foreign military awards include: the Kuwait Liberation Medal from the Governments of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit Cheonsu Medal, the Australian Parachutist Badge, the Honorary Republic of Korea Master Aviator Badge, and the Honorary Swedish Parachutist Badge.

In addition, he is the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield's first recipient of the Award for Meritorious Military Service in Protection of Cultural Property and was inducted into the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Hall of Fame in 2016.

Upon his retirement as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, after 38 years of service, Lieutenant General Erik Peterson leaves behind a legacy of honor and dedication, whereas he will retire with the distinction of being the highest-ranking U.S. Army Officer in the history of the state of Idaho.

It is our greatest honor to recognize Lieutenant General Erik Peterson for the outstanding contributions he's made to the people of Idaho and the Nation through his distinguished military service and commitment to the defense of our Nation. We thank him for his service and wish him well in retirement.

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