Saint Michael's Athletic Hall of Fame
Peter was among the Purple Knights’ first great skiers, winning the ski jumping event at the 1960 and 1961 EISA Division II Championships, which the College hosted. During his junior and senior seasons, Peter qualified for the EISA Division I Championship thanks to winning the Division II jumping event, including launching himself 71 feet off of a 22-meter jump located across Vermont 15. A two-year captain and two-year team secretary, Peter was also a member of the sailing and rifle teams, when both were still among the College’s varsity athletics offerings. He served as sailing secretary for two years. Peter was heavily involved elsewhere on campus as a member of the Connecticut Club, Outing Club, Arnold Air Society, Saber Air Command, Pre-Law Society, Business Forum, Shield yearbook staff, and National Federation of Catholic College Students. Also a member of U.S. Air Force ROTC, Peter was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force following graduation. He was a pilot and detachment commander in Vietnam and received the United States Armed Forces’ Distinguished Flying Cross. Peter earned 26 air medals and more than 50 awards and decorations from the U.S. Air Force, flying and completing more than 2,000 combat missions. He rose to lieutenant colonel and commanded the New York Air National Guard’s 137th Tactical Air Support Squadron.
