Joe Peterburs

Col. Joseph Anthony Peterburs (born 1925) is a retired United States Air Force pilot most remembered for an 10 April 1945 shoot down from his propeller-powered North American P-51 Mustang of a technically superior Messerschmitt Me 262 turbojet piloted by Luftwaffe fighter ace Walter Schuck, who survived the crash. It was 60 years before the shoot down was confirmed by German historians, and their work led to a friendship between the former enemies.[1][2]

Peterburs was the recipient of a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross.[3]

Early life and education

Peterburs was born in November 1924 in St Paul, Minnesota.[3][note 1] He was the son of Minnie W. Peterburs.[4][note 2]

Career

Petersburs enlisted in 1942.[5] He served with the US Air Force during WWII.[6] In 1945, he was stationed in Northamptonshire, England,[6] when he was shot down over Germany on 10 April 1945.[6][3] Petersburs' propeller-powered P-51 Mustang was shot down by a Messerschmitt Me 262 turbojet piloted by Luftwaffe pilot Walter Schuck. Before being shot down, Peterburs had flown 49 combat missions.[7] Peterburs was held at Stalag III in Luckenwalde but escaped[8] a week later.[3]

Peterburs also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars.[7][5] Over the course of his career, Peterburs received numerous awards and honors including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross.[3]

In 2002, Petersburs' shoot-down and capture were confirmed by German historians.[9] Their work led to a friendship between the pilots and former enemies, Petersburg and Schuck.[1][2]

Retirement

He retired in 1969 at the rank of colonel.[5] Peterburs continues to give presentations about his career.[10] He flew a Mustang, in 2025, aged 100.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b "German historians reunite two WWII flyers". The Mobile Register, Dec 01, 2002, page 30. 2002-12-01. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  2. ^ a b "Col. Joe Peterburs and the Tiger of the Tundra Walter Schuck". B17 Museum Utzenstorf. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  3. ^ a b c d e "American airman captured as prisoner of war to return to Kings Cliffe airfield after 80 years". Northamptonshire Telegraph. 2025-03-02. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  4. ^ "Wisconsin Casualties". Wisconsin State Journal. May 21, 1945. p. 12. Retrieved 11 March 2026 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d Muir, David; Noll, Eric; Louallen, Doc (12 August 2025). "David Muir shares emotional reunion between WWII veteran and fighter plane". ABC News. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  6. ^ a b c Emma Baugh (2025-04-11). "US WW2 fighter pilot takes to skies at Duxford in Mustang". bbc.com. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  7. ^ a b Heim, Joe (12 November 2025). "World War II Veterans Speak of Duty and Loss". Philadelphia Inquirer. Washington Post. pp. A10. Retrieved 11 March 2026 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Amon Carter Jr. Reported Held in Nazi Hospital". Chicago Tribune. May 4, 1945. p. 2. Retrieved 11 March 2026 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Owens, Gene (1 Dec 2002). "Frank's German Mark". Mobile Register. pp. B1, B4. Retrieved 11 March 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Aguiari, Moreno (2025-09-09). "American Heritage Museum to Host WWII P-51 Ace Col. Joe Peterburs at Historic Aviation Weekend -". Vintage Aviation News. Retrieved 2026-03-10.

Notes

  1. ^ He was born 25 Nov 1924.
  2. ^ His parents were William and Wilhemina Peterburs.
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