For his military service, Peter J. Vergados, Major, USAF (Ret) was one of four honorees at this year’s Greek Heritage Night held at Fenway Park on June 27.
During his 22-year Air Force career, Major Vergados, amassed over 3,500 flight hours in nine different aircraft, thirteen months and 850 hours of which were flown during aerial combat operations as a forward air controller (FAC) in South Vietnam. He was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry by the South Vietnamese Government in recognition of deeds of valor and heroic conduct while in combat with the enemy. He was also awarded 11 air medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. His first assignment after pilot training was flying B-52s along with sitting nuclear alert during what was then called the Cold War. After six years active duty, he continued his flying career with the 102nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Otis AFB, MA, retiring in December 1986.
Since leaving active duty, Mr. Vergados has been very active in the Greek-American community, serving two separate terms as a member of his church’s parish council and multiple terms as a member of the audit committee. He is also an active member of the Order of AHEPA, a Greek American fraternal organization whose mission is to promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism. Since 2003, he has been elected to various leadership positions within this organization.
When the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall came to Needham, Peter arranged for the main speakers, the bagpiper, and the flyby of the UH-1 (Hughey), operated by the Rhode Island Army Air National Guard.
