From May 9–11, 2026, the City of Douglas, Coffee County, and the 63rd Preservation Society welcomed home an extraordinary American hero as Colonel (Ret.) Joseph A. Peterburs, USAF, returned to Douglas more than 80 years after training at the city’s World War II flight school.
At 101 years old, Col. Peterburs is believed to be the last surviving aviation cadet who trained in Douglas during World War II.
A member of Squadron 11, Class 44-C, Col. Peterburs entered active duty at just 18 years old as an Aviation Cadet and completed primary flight training at the Douglas Army Airfield, now home to the WWII Flight Training Museum.
Over the course of a remarkable 36-year military career, Col. Peterburs served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and later the U.S. Air Force from 1942 to 1979. During World War II, he flew 49 combat missions as a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot with the Eighth Air Force, shooting down a leading German ace before being shot down himself and captured near Berlin. After escaping captivity, he spent time fighting alongside a Russian tank unit before ultimately returning to Allied lines.
He later flew 76 additional combat missions during the Korean War and went on to serve in key operational and command assignments throughout the Cold War and Vietnam era, including positions with NORAD, NATO, and the Royal Air Force. Throughout his distinguished career, he logged more than 4,000 flight hours and earned numerous military honors, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts.
Before arriving in Douglas, Col. Peterburs served as a special guest speaker during the 45th Annual Gathering of the Eagles Capstone Week at Maxwell Air Force Base, an annual program dedicated to honoring aviation pioneers and inspiring the study of aviation history. Following the event, he visited Napier Field, where he trained on the AT-6 and completed pilot training. Accompanied by the 23rd Wing Commander, he also toured The Heritage Center at Moody Air Force Base and received a VIP visit to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.
While in Douglas, Col. Peterburs experienced a memorable return to the skies in a PT-17 Stearman—the same type of aircraft used for primary pilot training at the Air Base during World War II. During a guided tour of Douglas, he shared stories of attending movies at the Martin Centre, visiting the Cadet Club at the Dent House, and enduring the demanding nine-week primary flight training program that prepared thousands of Allied pilots for combat service.
At Paulk Field, a PT-17 Stearman flown by Chris Rounds performed a tribute flyover honoring the cadets who trained over Douglas more than eight decades ago.
Col. Peterburs also visited the WWII Flight Training Museum, Douglas–Coffee County Veterans Park, and the memorial honoring the 63rd Flying Training Detachment. During a luncheon hosted by Mayor Tony Paulk and local leaders, the City of Douglas and Coffee County formally proclaimed the occasion as “Joe Peterburs Day.”
Following the luncheon, Col. Peterburs added his signature to the historic fuselage panel bearing the names of returning cadets from previous 63rd AAF FTD reunions. The panel is displayed in the airport terminal and will be preserved for future generations as a lasting tribute to the men who trained in Douglas during World War II.
The Georgia WWII Heritage Trail joins the Douglas community in honoring Col. Joseph Peterburs for his extraordinary service, sacrifice, and enduring legacy.
Special thanks are extended to all who contributed to the success of this memorable visit, including the Douglas 63rd Preservation Society, Douglas–Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, Fairfield Inn, Covered Wagon Country Buffet, WWII Flight Training Base Committee, Moody Air Force Base, Chris Rounds, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Tim Oliver of the WWII Flight Training Museum, and the City of Douglas.