Chief Peterson

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Grace Peterson stands in front of a painting of herself in front of the Grace Peterson Hall at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Oct. 18, 2010, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Peterson was the first female Airman to be promoted to the Air Force's highest enlisted grade in 1960. She visited the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center to see the facility and the hall that bears her name. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Veuril McDavid)

First woman chief master sergeant laid to rest

Published Feb. 12, 2019
By Master Sgt. Amaani Lyle
Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Maryland -- The first woman to ever hold such a rank, Chief Master Sgt. Grace Peterson was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery Feb. 8. She entered military service in New York City soon after the Dec. 7, 1941, attack that thrust America into World War II before she joined what was then called the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1942. Her service helped pave the way for future generations of aviators.