Hi all,
Much has been written about the American volunteer airmen who made up the three Eagle fighter Squadrons but what is less publicised is that some of the American volunteers flew with RAF bomber squadrons.
One individual was Lt Christenson. He volunteered through the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) and was posted to 578 squadron as a Pilot in early 1944. As an American he was transferred to the USAAF. He did however remain with 578 squadron rather than move to a USAAF squadron and completed his tour on Halifaxes.
We have drawn a complete blank on trying to trace this chap. We’ve tried the American Embassy in London and the department in Washington dealing with veteran affairs but have had no success. The rumour mill has come up with a few possible leads including the fact that he may have become part of the U2 programme.
Has anyone any ideas how we can proceed? Other directions or forums that could help us would be gratefully received.
No reward can be offered offered for his location or contact save the satisfaction of solving a challenge which has eluded the 578 squadron association for over 60 years.
More info here: http://www.578squadron.org.uk/squadron/christenson.html
Thanks,
Paul.
By: mhuxt - 30th April 2011 at 23:20
Misspelled the name in my earlier post.
Wally Fydenchuk’s website, with contact details, is here:
By: Ross_McNeill - 30th April 2011 at 22:29
To help others in the search he was
John Leroy Christenson 1stLt USAAF 0-886259
His previous RCAF service records until transfer to the USAAF will still be retained by the Canadian authorities.
His RCAF commissioned service number was J/24408
Regards
Ross
By: Paul - 30th April 2011 at 21:40
Thanks for your replies, there are more stories of his time with 578 squadron and yes you are right that there is some urgency as the number of veterans left in the association is dwindling rapidly. We do have the chaps initials and we will have his service number so research will continue, and we would like to tie up this loose end. I was slightly supprised that the department of veteran affirs couldn’t help us but I guess that America has rather a lot of veterans to look after!
We will follow up the leads that you have suggested.
Thanks again,
Paul
By: Flying-A - 30th April 2011 at 20:55
A long shot, but if he was involved with the U-2, you might try:
By: mhuxt - 29th April 2011 at 23:31
You want to track down Wally Feydenchuk, who specialises in Americans in the RCAF.
By: TriangleP - 29th April 2011 at 17:01
Interesting story, I’ve met or talked to two American pilots that flew with the RAF and its always good to hear of more. Best of luck finding Mr. Christenson, I understand the sense of urgency. Scandanavian names are very common in the upper Midwest, some Plains states and the Northwest in the U.S., if that helps. Do 578 Sq. records indicate his first name, M.I. and hometown? Its often the case the veteran would move back to the general vicninity of their birthplace after the war, no guarantees of course, but it might help narrow the search.
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April 28, 2011 at 4:22 pm