On June 13, 1966, Pettine was nominated by President
Lyndon B. Johnson to a new seat on the
United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island created by 80 Stat. 75. He was confirmed by the
United States Senate on June 29, 1966, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1971 to 1982, assuming
senior status on July 6, 1982. Pettine served in that capacity until his death on November 17, 2003, in
Dallas,
Texas. ==References==