Christensen, Fred Joseph, Jr., Lt Col

Deceased
 
 Service Photo   Service Details
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Last Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Last Primary AFSC/MOS
99000-Basic Airman
Last AFSC Group
Special Identifiers
Primary Unit
1961-1981, Air Force Reserve Command
Service Years
1942 - 1981
Officer srcset=
Lieutenant Colonel

 Last Photo   Personal Details 

83 kb


Home State
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Year of Birth
1921
 
This Military Service Page was created/owned by SSgt Harry McCown (Mac) to remember Christensen, Fred Joseph, Jr., Lt Col USAF(Ret).

If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
 
Contact Info
Home Town
Watertown
Last Address
Northborough, MA
Date of Passing
Apr 04, 2006
 
Location of Interment
Massachusetts National Cemetery (VA) - Bourne, Massachusetts
Wall/Plot Coordinates
Section 41, Site 2396

 Official Badges 

WW II Honorable Discharge Pin


 Unofficial Badges 

Cold War Medal Air Ace


 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
American Fighter Aces AssociationOrder of DaedaliansNational Cemetery Administration (NCA)Air Force Memorial (AFM)
  1970, American Fighter Aces Association
  1970, Order of Daedalians - Assoc. Page
  2006, National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
  2015, Air Force Memorial (AFM) - Assoc. Page


 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:

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.



You can read more about Col. Christensen at  www.acepilots.com/eto/christensen.html.

   

 1942-1946, P-47 Thunderbolt (Jug)
From Year
1942
To Year
1946
   
Personal Memories
Not Specified
   
Image
 P-47 Thunderbolt (Jug) Details
 


Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications
StatsCentral
Model Republic P-47D Thunderbolt
Length 36.15 ft | 11.02 m
Width 40.68 ft | 12.40 m
Height 14.67 ft | 4.47 m
Engine(s) 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 Double-Wasp eighteen cylinder radial engine generating 2,535hp.
Empty Weight 9,949 lbs | 4,513 kg
MTOW 17,500 lbs | 7,938 kg
Max Speed 433 mph | 697 km/h | 376 kts
Max Range 449 miles | 722 km
Ceiling 40,994 ft | 12,495 m | 7.8 miles
Climb Rate 3,200 ft/min (976 m/min)
Hardpoints 3
Armament 8 x 12.7mm Machine Guns
10 x 5 in Air-to-Surface HE Rockets

Provision for bomb load, fuel drop tanks or rockets to a maximum of 2,500lbs (1,134kg).
Accommodations 1


Major Variants

* XP-47B - Prototype featuring XR-2800 radial generating 1,850hp.
* P-47B - Production model based on XP-47B prototype; R-2800-21 radial engine.
* P-47C - Extended fuselage; Later types of this model featuring R-2800-59 radial at 2,300hp; Provisions for drop tanks and bombs.
* P-47D - Main production model of which 12,602 produced; R-2800-21W (2,300hp) or R-2800-59W (2,535hp) water-injected radial powerplants; Increased MTOW capacity; Provision for drop tanks and air-to-surface HE rockets.
* P-47G - Wright-produced P-47D models of which 354 produced.
* P-47M - 'Sprinter' interception model designed to combat the V1 / V2 rocket threat; Featured specialized airbrake system and R-2800-57(C) radial generating 2,800hp; 130 produced.
* P-47N - Exclusive Pacific Theater model; Long range variant with increased and reinforced wing section of which 1,816 produced; Longer wingspan with blunt-tipped wing tips concealing fuel compartments; R-2800-77 radial generating 2,800hp.

   
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Last Updated: May 4, 2009
   
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  499 Also There at This Aircraft:
  • Agoston, Vladimir, FltOff, (1942-1944)
  • Ceballos, Peter, Maj, (1945-1970)
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