ELMER "PETE" CARLSON

CARLSON, ELMER "PETE" Commander, U.S. Navy Pete Carlson, an Eagle Scout, decorated World War II fighter pilot, career Naval Officer, and father of six, died peacefully while surrounded by family on November 28, 2010 at the age of 87. Pete was born in Chicago, IL, to Einar and Alma Carlsen on December 22, 1922. He was attending the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1942 when he joined the Navy to defend his country and fulfill his dream of flying. This was his destiny since the age of 10 when he first started building and flying model aircraft. He was a member of the Greatest Generation. He earned his pilot "Wings of Gold" on January 5, 1944 and flew the F6F Hellcat during three major WWII campaigns that included the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. His squadron (VF-34, or the Fighting Thirty Four) also had the unique record of having performed both the first and last carrier strikes against Tokyo during the war. During the battle of Iwo Jima, Pete had just landed his aircraft on the USS SARATOGA (CV3) when kamikaze attacks began, which resulted in him manning fire hoses and carrying the wounded to sick bay. Due to the battle damage, the "SARA" was out of action for the remainder of the war, so Pete was reassigned to the USS MONTEREY (CVL26) to continue the fight. The MONTEREY was just outside Tokyo Bay with hundreds of other ships during the formal surrender. Pete Carlson's flying career continued with service on seven aircraft carriers, additional combat during the Korean War flying the TBF Avenger, flying supersonic fighter jets for the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), Commanding Officer of an aircraft squadron, and Executive Officer on the aircraft carrier USS YORKTOWN (CVS10) deployed during the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Navy in 1966, he worked for American Airlines, Rohr Industrial Systems, and RISI Industries, while earning his Masters in Business Administration along the way. He also briefly owned a bar called E.P's Tavern, and worked as a tax consultant and real estate agent before full retirement in 1986. Pete was a meticulous craftsman and the sky was the limit on what he could design and build in his garage workshop. When the table saw was finally retired, he was able to spend more time at his other favorite hobby, walking his dog Molly around Lake Murray and hanging out with his circle of "lake friends." He also loved to "make his rounds" around town to trade stories and jokes with his many other friends under the guise of conducting his daily business. His unique sense of humor was his brand of camaraderie, and it always made someone's day. Pete is survived by his wife Carolyn (Connie), daughters Carrie, Barbara, Virginia, and Christe, sons Tom and David, and his 8 grandchildren also known as his "little rascals." His ashes will be buried at sea in the Pacific with full military honors. Memorial arrangements are pending for the latter part of January 2011, and will be announced using the online guestbook. Our family is very grateful for the outstanding care provided by Del Cerro Manor and San Diego Hospice. Recommend memorial donations to S.D. Hospice.