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About Our
Speaker for the February Meeting
Fred was born in Los Angeles and schooled in Southern California. He attended
Pasadena Jr. College while working the night shift at Lockheed Aircraft Co. Fred
enrolled in The Civil Pilot's Training Program where he received his Private
Pilots License.
In early 1942 Fred joined the Navy as Seaman 2nd class in the student pilot
training program at. Los Alamitos, California, Dallas, Texas and Corpus Christi.
On November 13, 1942 Fred received the Wings Of Gold and was designated a Naval
Aviator.
Fred's first orders were to Quonset Point, RI attached to Project Afirm, a
highly secret Radar Night fighter development unit.
In December of' 42 he flew as safety pilot on an experimental Ground Control
Approach System of landing an aircraft in inclement weather. Fred was safety
pilot in the first aircraft to make a GCA.
In 1943 Fred was assigned to the newly formed VF(N) 76, a night fighter
squadron. Fred's detachment of five aviators and four F6F radar equipped
Hellcats flew off of The Fighting Lady, CV- 10 USS Yorktown, and later the
Hornet. These two carriers were in the same task force and operated side by side
during most of the action in the Pacific. Because Fred's detachment flew with
the day fighters as well as performing night duties, those 5 pilots were
credited with 27 enemies shot down. Three in the detachment achieved Ace status.
Fred's personal record is 10 with 7 confirmed.
On July 4, 1944 Fred's combat career came to an end when he was wounded in the
left shoulder after shooting down 4 of the enemy fighters in a magnificent
dog-fight. The 2 hour flight back to the carrier was the most lonesome time of
his life but that was a grand way to celebrate The Fourth Of July. The awards
presented to him are; The Navy Cross, The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air
Medal, The Purple Heart and The Presidential Unit Citation for the many strikes
on enemy held strongholds and the numerous dogfights participated in with his
detachment.
After the fleet service, Fred was attached to Quonset Point as a night fighter
instructor. During this time Wrigley Chewing Gum sponsored a nationally
broadcast radio program, "The First Line" and featured Fred and his exploits in
combat.
The end of WWII found Fred in Boca Chica, Florida, forming another night
fighter squadron preparing to go to sea again. About this time Fred's picture
appeared on the cover of This Week Magazine which was the Sunday Supplement that
had national distribution. Fred was released to inactive Reserve Duty and
remained in the Reserves for 20 great years of Naval Service.
Fred joined Air Facilities Co. at Teterboro Airport in Hackensack, N.J. before
working for the 3M Co. in 1947. He retired in 1982.
Fred's wife, Jean, passed away in 1991 after 46 years of being together.
Lorayne and Fred were married on May 11, 1992. They live in San Clemente, and
are finding many adventures that are keeping them as young as when they first
dated in college.
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