Col. Joseph Peterburs, U.S. Air Force, WWII, Korea, Vietnam

Joseph Peterburs was in seminary to be a priest, but the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor changed those plans. After being rejected by the U.S. Navy, Peterburs joined the U.S. Army Air Corps.

By late 1944, he was in England and flying P-51's to escort bombing missions over mainland Europe. He flew 49 missions in all, but the last one is the most memorable.

In this interview with Greg Corombos, Peterburs talks about his targeting of a German ME-262 that he believed he shot down, how he was then shot down and taken prisoner only to escape and end up fighting alongside troops of one of our allies. He also shares the amazing story about that mission that unfolded decades later.

Also a veteran of Korea and Vietnam, Peterburs offers an engaging history of his service in World War II, his harrowing air combat experiences in Korea, and more.