High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! USS Dale W. Peterson (DE–337) was an Edsall class destroyer escort, the first United States Navy ship so named. This ship was named for Ensign Dale William Peterson (18 November 1919 – 8 May 1942), who was awarded the Navy Cross for distinguished service in intercepting enemy bombers attacking his carrier 20 February 1942, and was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the Battle of the Coral Sea.