This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Harry McCown (Mac)
to remember
Christensen, Fred Joseph, Jr., Lt Col USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Watertown
Last Address Northborough, MA
Date of Passing Apr 04, 2006
Location of Interment Massachusetts National Cemetery (VA) - Bourne, Massachusetts
Fred Christensen was born on October 17, 1921, in Watertown, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces on February 4, 1942, and was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings at Napier Field, Alabama, on December 13, 1942. After completing P-47 Thunderbolt training, he was assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group in England in August 1943. Between November 1943 and July 1944, Capt Christensen flew 107 combat missions and was credited with destroying 21.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 2 damaged. He left active duty on November 20, 1946, and joined the Massachusetts Air National Guard on November 15, 1947. Col Christensen commanded the 102nd Tactical Fighter Group of the Massachusetts ANG from November 1947 to August 30, 1961, when he left the National Guard and entered the Air Force Reserve. He retired from the reserves on October 17, 1981, and died on April 4, 2006. Fred Christensen is buried at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts.
Other Comments:
His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads:
For gallantry in action, while piloting a P-47 fighter aircraft on a bomber escort mission over Germany, 20 February 1944. Just after the squadron which he was flying reached the limit of its range, Lieutenant Christensen observed a ME-109 preparing to attack the bombers. He immediately pursued the enemy plane, forcing it to break off the attack and dive for cover. Climbing to rejoin his flight he saw a DO-217 and another member of the flight destroyed it, despite a withering hail of fire from the hostile plane. Critically low on fuel and ammunition, Lieutenant Christensen again headed for home only to spot a JU-88 below him. Though still deep in enemy territory, he dove for the plane and holding his fire until dead astern, scored direct hits on both engines. As the enemy aircraft burst into flames and spun to the ground, Lieutenant Christensen set his course for England. His gallantry, skill and disregard for personal safety in zealously seeking out the enemy and destroying him contributed in a large measure to the safety of the bomber formation.
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The Air Force Reserve Command is a Major Command of the United States Air Force, with its headquarters stationed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. It is the federally controlled Air Reserve Component of the U.S. Air Force, consisting of duly appointed commissioned officers and enlisted airmen.
AFRC supports the Air Force mission to defend the United States through the control and exploitation of air and space by supporting Global Engagement. AFRC also plays an integral role in the day-to-day Air Force mission and is not strictly a force held in reserve for possible war or contingency operations.
The federal reserve component of the United States Air Force, AFRC has approximately 450 aircraft assigned for which it has sole control. as well as access to several hundred additional active duty USAF aircraft via AFRC "Associate" wings that are collocated with active duty Air Force wings, sharing access to those aircraft.. The inventory includes the latest, most capable models of aircraft that are also assigned to the active-duty U.S. Air Force. On any given day, 99 percent of AFRC's aircraft are mission-ready and able to deploy within 72 hours.
The purpose of the Air Force Reserve as derived from Title 10 United States Code is to:
Provide combat-ready units and individuals for active duty whenever there are not enough trained units and people in the Regular component of the Air Force to perform any national security mission.