[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 64 (Monday, April 15, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E351-E352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT GENERAL ERIK PETERSON'S SERVICE AND RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 15, 2024

  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

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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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