Rear Admiral Kennith Pettigrew, USNR (Ret)

Gentlemen,

It is my sad duty to inform you that in the early morning of Sunday, 23 June 2024, Golden Eagle RADM Kenneth W. PETTIGREW, USNR (Ret), made his Last Take Off at home in La Jolla, California.

Known in the Navy as “Pete” or “Viper,” Pete was born in Oak Park, Illinois on 3 February 1942. He grew up in the metropolitan area of Chicago, attending New Trier High School, and excelled in athletics, in particular swimming. Graduating in 1960, he then attended Stanford University in California. During his time at Stanford, he was a member of the 1963 National collegiate water polo team and was twice selected as an All American in water polo and swimming the 400-yard medley relay. He graduated in June 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Science.

Pete was commissioned as an Ensign under the regular NROTC program. Reporting to Pensacola, Florida, he commenced flight training in November 1964, flying the T-34, T-2A, TF-9, AF-9, and the F-11, earning his Wings of Gold in June 1966. While in the training command, Pete married the love of his life, Susan, in December 1965. They both had attended the same high school, with Susan a year junior, but went to college on opposite coasts, Pete to Stanford, Susan to Smith College. Remarkably, while Pete was competing in a swim meet at Yale, they met once again. During Christmas 1964, while home on leave and Susan on school vacation, Pete dated Susan for a week straight, and that marked the beginning of a marriage made in heaven.

Pete reported to his first operational assignment, VF-151, based at NAS Miramar, San Diego, California, after completing training in the F-4B at VF-121, the fleet replacement squadron. While in VF-151, Pete completed two deployments to Vietnam, aboard USS Coral Sea, April 1967–February 1968 and July 1968–April 1969. This was a time of high operational tempo for aircraft carriers and carrier air wings, with short turnarounds between deployments. In April 1969 Pete reported to VF-121 as the senior LSO, and in late June also joined the newly stood up TOPGUN as one of its instructors. He remained there for two years, and then reported to Carrier Air Wing 11 as the air wing LSO in February 1972.

Carrier Air Wing 11, aboard USS Kitty Hawk, deployed to Vietnam from February 1972 through November 1972. During this period of high tempo flight operations, Pete was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for leading a strike on a major petroleum storage facility near Quang Nap. On 6 May 1972, flying a VF-114 F-4J Phantom II, Pete and his wingman engaged a flight of four MiG-21s over North Vietnam. The North Vietnamese were trying to trap the Phantoms section between two flights of four MiGs, but the Phantoms managed to engage the flight of four first. In the 90 second dogfight that ensued, both Phantoms downed a MiG-21 before disengaging and returning to the ship. This action was recognized with the award of the Silver Star.

In 1973, Pete transitioned to the Naval Reserve, where he flew with VF-302, commanding that squadron from 1980–1982, flying the F-4N and F-4S. During his time in command, the squadron earned the F. Trubee Davison Award in 1981 as the best Naval Reserve Tailhook squadron. He remained active in the Reserves post command, serving as the Program Manager for F/A-18 Hornet introduction to the Naval Reserves, and in various Naval Reserve billets, including Commander Maritime Defense Force, Aleutian Islands; Deputy Commander Naval Air Force Pacific; Deputy Task Force Commander; Task Force South West Asia; Deputy Commander Third Fleet; Commander Naval Reserve Readiness Command, Region 11; and Deputy Commander Atlantic Fleet. Pete retired from the Navy in January 1998.

Over his Navy career, Pete flew more than 4,500 hours, had 529 carrier arrested landings, over 325 combat missions in Vietnam during three deployments, and earned combat awards of the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and 30 Strike Flight air medals. Additional service awards include the Joint Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, and Navy Commendations Medals. He is also the first and only former TOPGUN instructor pilot with a confirmed enemy kill.

While in the Reserves, Pete also had a full career in commercial aviation. He was employed by Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), which later became U.S. Airways, from 1973–2002, logging over 16,000 hours. He had an active role in the Airline Pilots Association serving six years as Master Executive Council Chairman for PSA pilots and two years as Executive Vice President of the National Airline Pilots Association. After retiring from the airlines, he was a contract charter pilot through 2014. And as if that did not keep him busy enough, from 1983 to 1986 he was the technical consultant for the Paramount Pictures hit film “Top Gun,” that included a cameo appearance by Pete and the use of his callsign, Viper.

As mentioned earlier, Pete excelled in swimming and remained active in swimming and athletics throughout his life. He was a competitive triathlete, competing in the Ironman (Hawaii) Triathlon, finishing in 5th place for his age group. He also competed in local San Diego triathlons. He holds the world record for the Catalina Channel Swim relay (six-man team), over 70 age group, finishing in 10 hours and 57 minutes. Two years later, they did the same swim but in the opposite direction. Pete also did competitive masters swimming and water polo, competed in the Maui Channel swim, and won a San Diego Handball tournament for his age group.

Pete/Viper served his country well. In the regular Navy and Naval Reserves, he was an outstanding fighter pilot, officer, and leader. He embraced all challenges, from aerial combat to physical fitness tests, and always excelled. He enjoyed life, meeting people, maintaining ties and joining with college, Navy, airline, and swimming associations. He always had a smile on his face. While both a military and commercial aviator, he never lost his love of Naval Aviation, actively supporting Naval Aviation to the end — he was a docent on USS Midway Museum, helped form the TOPGUN Association, and spoke many times at TOPGUN class MiG Killer debriefs, bringing lessons of the past to today’s aircrews. Without a doubt, as a docent on the Midway, he has inspired many to be the next generation of Naval Aviators.

Pete is survived by his wife, Susan, daughters Jennifer and Katy, and sons Roger and Craig. He also has five grandchildren — granddaughters Abby, Ellie, Lily, Emi, and grandson Charlie. Services and a Celebration of Life are pending, with that information to be provided in another notice when it is available.

He will be missed.

In sadness,
Marty Chanik
Pilot