World War One "Flying Ace", recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and French Croix De Guerre with 5 Palmes de Bronze. He had six confirmed aerial victories along with eighteen unconfirmed shoot downs. He was born in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, son of Dr. Pierson B. and Louise W. Jadwin Peterson. A 1911 graduate of Honesdale High School, he attended Lehigh University, graduating in 1915, with a B.S. in engineering. In 1916, soon after graduating, Peterson went to France and joined the French Army to drive ambulances, attaining the rank of Sergeant. On October 9, 1916 he joined the French Air Service and after completing pilot training he joined the Lafayette Escadrille with rank of Lieutenant, on June 16, 1917. He gained his first victory while in the Lafayette Escadrille on September 19, 1917. He was transferred to the American Air Service and was commissioned a Captain in the 103rd Aero Squadron on February 18th, 1918. On April 1st, he was assigned to the 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, American Expeditionary Forces. Here he would score three more aerial victories; once on May 3, 1918, and twice on May 15. Two days later, he was a Flight Commander in the 95th Aero Squadron, scoring his fifth aerial victory. According to the official records of the War Department, he was the first to bring down five German planes while serving in the American Aerial Forces. Three days later, he tallied his final victory. On May 25th he was made Commanding Officer of the 95th Aero Squadron and promoted to Major in August. Peterson was transferred to Dorr Field, Daytona Beach, Florida on October 8th, 1918, where he served as an instructor until he was killed in a flying accident on March 16, 1919. His aeroplane went into a nose dive when but seventy-five feet from the ground and crashed, instantly killing Major Peterson and seriously injuring a passenger.

Citatation for the Distinguished Service Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Service) David McKelvey Peterson, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Luneville, France, on 3 May 1918. Leading a patrol of three, Captain Peterson encountered five enemy planes at an altitude of 3,500 meters and immediately gave battle. Notwithstanding the fact that he was attacked from all sides, this officer, by skillful maneuvering, succeeded in shooting down one of the enemy's planes and dispersing the remaining four.

Second Citation for the Distinguished Service Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Service) David McKelvey Peterson, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Thiaucourt, France, on 15 May 1918. While on a patrol alone Captain Peterson encountered two enemy planes at an altitude of 52 meters. He promptly attacked, despite the odds, and shot down one of the enemy planes in flames. While thus engaged he was attacked from above by the second enemy plane, but by skillful maneuvering he succeeded in shooting it down also.
The French have immortalized his name on the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial.
The Major David McKelvey Peterson American Legion Post No. 254 in Honesdale, Pennsylvania is named in his honor.
Wayne Memorial Hospital World War I Memorial Plaque