Danish WW2 Pilots

Frederick Friis Lauesen

(1919 - 1945)

Frederick Friis Lauesen was born in Denmark, but naturalised in the USA before the Second World War. He lost his life in July 1945, serving as pilot in the VBF-93. He was one of three brothers, all pilots, who was killed during the war.

Frederick (or Frederik) Friis Lauesen was born on 18 January 1915 in Vejen, Denmark. He was the fourth son of five of Jens Lauesen and Nielsine Hermine Friis Lauesen (née Friis).[1] The family emigrated to the USA in 1923 settling in Chicago, Illinois.[2] Jens Lauesen—and thereby the rest of the family—was naturalised in the USA in 1928.[3] Lauesen was educated at the Senn High School in Chicago from 1935-39 (Class of June 1939). He was a letterman on the school’s football team in 1938.[4]

Lauesen’s oldest brother Herman died in a car accident in 1929. His two older brothers John and Christian both died as pilots during the Second World War.

VBF-93

Lauesen enlisted in the US Navy and was trained as pilots. He was posted to Bombing Fightning Squadron 93. The time of this posting. He held the rank of Ensign at the time (403125).

VBF-93 was established on 2 January 1945 at NAS, Atlantic City, New Jersey. The squadron carried out carrier qualifications abord the USS Card (CVE-11) during two periods in March and April and, on 20 May 1945, the squadron became ship based abord the USS Boxer (VC-21) based in Norfolk. Two days later, the ship commenced a shakedown cruise. The squadron was shore based at NAS, Leeward Point, Guantanamo Bay, from 31 Ma 1945. USS Boxer returned to Norfolk on 26 June 1945, and VBF-93 once again became based ashore at NAS, East Field, Norfolk. The squadron converted from FG-1D and F4U-1D to F4U-4. This aircraft was equipped with the Sperry ASG-10 Toss Bombing Director.

“USS
USS Boxer (CV-21) Slides down the building ways, during launching ceremonies at the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia, 14 December 1944 (Official U.S. Navy Photo).

The squadron departed for the West Coast onboard the USS Boxer on 23 July 1945. The carrier arrived at Cristobal on the 27th and continued through the Panama Canal the next day. On 29 July 1945, the aircraft carrier left Balboa for San Diego, California, and on 1020 hours commenced this morning’s flight operations.[5]

Last Flight

At 0830 hours, Lauesen took off in F4U-4 (81125) from Albrock Field, Panama Canal Zone with twenty-five other F4U's to land aboard the USS Boxer in the Gulf of Panama. The air group reached the aircraft carrier at about 1000 hours and proceeded to land. But Lausen had problems.[6]

Ensign Lauesen in the last division of F4U's to enter the traffic circle. After he entered the traffic circle, he called the ship and stated that he could not lower his flaps. He was directed to leave the traffic circle and attempt to lower the flaps manually. Ensign Lauesen called the ship and stated that he could not lower the flaps. After all the planes landed aboard, he was directed to re-enter the traffic circle after jettisoning the belly tank. On his first approach, he was given a waveoff. As he made his second approach, he was low in the groove and again given a waveoff. He was then seen to lose altitude, his port wing striking the water, flipping the plane over causing it to strike in a nose down attitude and to sink in a few seconds. Ensign Lauesen was not seen to leave the plane.[7]

Lausen crashed in the sea at 1250 hours about 15 miles from Panama City. His body was not recovered.[8]

Endnotes

[1] DNA: Parish registration, Vejen Sogn.

[2] Ancestry: New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957.

[3] Ancestry. Illinois, Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991.

[4] Forum 1939, Senn High School.

[5] NARA: RG 38, World War II War Diaries, Other Operational Records and Histories, compiled ca. 01/01/1942 - ca. 06/01/1946, documenting the period ca. 09/01/1939 - ca. 05/30/1946, USS BOXER War Diary, 7/1-31/45.

[6] NARA: RG 38, World War II War Diaries, Other Operational Records and Histories, compiled ca. 01/01/1942 - ca. 06/01/1946, documenting the period ca. 09/01/1939 - ca. 05/30/1946, VBF-93 - War History.

[7] NARA: RG 38, World War II War Diaries, Other Operational Records and Histories, compiled ca. 01/01/1942 - ca. 06/01/1946, documenting the period ca. 09/01/1939 - ca. 05/30/1946, VBF-93 - War History.

[8] NARA: RG 38, World War II War Diaries, Other Operational Records and Histories, compiled ca. 01/01/1942 - ca. 06/01/1946, documenting the period ca. 09/01/1939 - ca. 05/30/1946, USS BOXER War Diary, 7/1-31/45.