An Expose: Harold "Keith" Fredericksen, Part III

Harold “Keith” Fredericksen, the middle son of Harriet and F. Christian Fredericksen, was drafted on November 11, 1943. He elected to join the Army Air Force and became a tailgunner on a B-17, eventually serving with the 548th Bomber Squadron, 385th Bomber Group stationed in England.

"The B-17 Flying Fortress served in every World War II combat zone, but it is best known for daylight strategic bombing of German industrial targets. Boeing produced the bomber in small numbers in the late thirties. Boeing sub-contracted with Lockheed-Vega factories to produce later models of the B-17 during the height of the conflict. They were able to supply over 3,400 of the “F” model and over 8,600 of the “G” model. Some models were equipped with lifeboats for sea rescues but the primary use of the planes was the day light raids on European targets. One of the most famous of these planes, the Memphis Bell, was able to complete 25 bombing missions over European territory."*


Image is from Airforce Image Gallery and has been modified
and can be found at Planes of World War II page.

Grandma Fred saved Keith's letters home, along with pictures, official goverment telegrams and letters, and all the V-mail. It's from these sources we share this story. The first saved letter arrived in December, 1943 and from that point chronicled the happenings, Keith's boredom, and his worry over the state of things at home. Many references in this group to family -- Chuck, Orval, Nada, Jack and Jean -- and many more friends. In mid-1944, his father died. His mother is left to run two farms, while illness and the draft has left his other brothers unable to help her. The reality of war is hitting home. Assigned to Combat Training Crew School, he continues to reassure his mother that he's fine and that he won't see combat.

Our letters continue.....

June 28, 1944 - About the time you get this letter you will probably get a letter from the government with my will and an insurance form in it. It's nothing to get excited about - they made everyone fill one out. We sure got a swell pilot, he is about 28 years of, a quiet steady guy. Just the kind I wanted. The co-pilot is young and doesn't give a damn for anything. Our pilot is just like a mother to us….Tell Jack and Jean that I'll remember their birthday's when I get some dough.

Individual Flight Record of June shows flights on the 29th of 4 hours and 35 minutes and on the 30th of 5 hours and 40 minutes.

July 7, 1944 - We had to fly the first period this morning and it was to get up at 4 o'clock….Orval's (Keith's brother) letter was interesting. I can't picture him liking the service so well. Just wait until the newness wears off and he will really be disgusted. If you will send me his address so I can write him. We got a bombardier yesterday so we had a bombing mission for him today. He drops dummy bombs on a target from 10,000 feet. He is pretty good too….That was a good letter from Dean. He didn't say anything about Arden. He is still in the pool there, hasn't been assigned to a crew or started school training. It seems like to me people are having a lot of grief at home. Yes, I know Mrs. Schaller was so miserable. I can't even tell you what a shock Ed's death was to me. He was almost like a brother to us guys. I know home will never be the same without him. He always said your time to go was set but I don't believe that he realized how close his day was…..Don't work too hard on those spuds and corn. Tell me how the wheat looks and how the cattle look. It was nice to hear from Jean (Keith's sister).

July 13, 1944 - It surely does take a long time for your letters to come, five days at least…I got a nice letter from Chuck (Keith's oldest brother) two days ago. He still wants one of my pictures, I thought we sent him one but must not have. I hope Orval can do as well……Yes, I got the letters you sent to Lincoln and both the Heralds too. Please keep sending them. It's real nice all about everything at home. I hope those spring oats did alright. I don't think the winter wheat will do good unless it picks up. It didn't sound like you had much hay but you'll make out okay. It must be lonesome for Jack (Keith's youngest brother) but things are tough all over.

July 20, 1944 - I got your letter today Jack, it was quite a surprise to hear that you have a new combine. Be sure to tell me more about it, how much did you have to pay for it? Are you going to sell the old one? Has it got a tank on it or will you keep on sacking the grain?.........I guess I'll tell you a little about each of the guys on my crew….Our pilot Oscar is from Oregon, about 26. He has really been around, traveled in China and Europe. He is very conscientious and wants nothing more than to see all the crew come back. The co-pilot is 21, just a kid, has a car. He is from Illinois. The bombardier, Red, is 21. Tyman the engineer is 23 and from Missouri. Smitty the radioman is the oldest guy on the crew, 29. Then we have Stupy, the armor gunner, 21and from Joisey, Trenton, I think. Huth is 19 and from Indianapolis. Tony the last guy is my pal. He is only 18 and is really a screwball, has the crew laughing all the time. He and Huth are waist gunners so you can see what that leaves me. I really like the tail tho. Tony is from Chicago and wants me to come home with him if we get the five days they talk about when we leave here….This letter might seem silly to you but these are the guys I'm going to be with for the rest of the war so I thought you might like to know about them………….I got a letter from Dean. He was pretty disgusted. He is at Drew Field and never said anything about Arden. I guess it is better to sell the cattle than buy hay. Don't work or worry too much mother. Hope Nada will be okay.

July 22, 1944 - Had yesterday off so Tony and I took a nice trip down into Texas. We went to Paris where Tony has a cousin with an apartment in town, so his wife made us a couple of nice meals. I don't see what those Texans brag about, boy the state was disgusting……….Things have been popping in both Japan and Germany haven't they? I wish they would both quit and I could come home and help you mother. It looks like Roosevelt will be reelected again. I believe it would be a horrible mistake if we change presidents in this stage of the game….I guess it is a good idea to sell the stock. It's too bad prices have to be so low. Hope the new combine turns out okay. Hope you will all be well and not too lonesome. Don't work or worry too much, mother and you be good kids Jack and Jean.

July 26, 1944 Reissue notice for $450 in savings bonds to Keith and his Mother

July 28, 1944 - I got your letter Jean (Keith's sister), but there must have been a slip up. My name isn't Mary Helen. Hope you didn't have anything embarrassing in the letter that went to her. I'll send it back. It's just the same old thing here….We've been flying plenty regular lately and it's really rough. We went to Galveston, day before yesterday. We did our firing way out over the water, couldn't see land. On the way back we camera bombed the towns of Galveston and Dallas.

August 2, 1944 - …The co-pilot was sure glad to get the gas stamps. Maybe after a while you can snitch a few more, huh?...Starting harvest sure sounds nice. Sure wish I was there to help but I think you'll make it out okay Jack. Don't worry about me, I've got everything under control.

August 10, 1944 - Hi Chuck. …I think I'm making as much as you are now. Corporal now and flying, I get $99 a month which is a lot of dough, all they take is $6.50 for insurance. That will be all the stripes for us until we go over. We earn that dough tho', fly at least six hours every other day. They don't cling around here, we really go up in the cold….I got a letter from home today, everything seems okay. Only Nada is sure taking her time. I guess Orval got home one day last week. It's nice he can be so close to home.

August 10, 1944 - Nada is sure giving you folks a time isn't she. (Orval's wife, awaiting the birth of Karen.) It seems the stork is very independent. It is nice Orval is so close to home, so he can come home once in a while. You have got to tell me how he looks, you know what I think of the Navy. I got a letter from him and he seemed pretty fed up with the whole outfit….I don't get any special kick out of flying, but I'd like to keep my stripes and all that dough. I bet I'm making as much as Chuck now. I don't believe we get any more stripes until we go overseas and the Lord only knows when that will be. It looks like you are going to have to face the fact, that I will have to go over. I sort of wish that the war would be over before the time came, but I'm about at the end of the rope. Things seem pretty safe over there now, you never hear about them losing any bombers….Hope everything is okay and Nada will be alright.

August 16, 1944 - I saw that plane they had in Spokane in a newsreel. That's the way things are in the air, they happen so fast, you don't know what happened. They haven't had a serious accident here while I've been here. That's really remarkable flying as many old planes as they do here. There are sure lots of rumors floating around, about how long we're to be here, where we go from here. So please don't worry.

August 20, 1944 - I got a letter from Chuck and the Herald today. It was swell that Fred and Jack met in France, I believe. I will send that clipping on to Chuck or do you get some to send him?...We only have two more missions scheduled, then I believe my rough flying days will be over. I wish I could send you some of this Okie weather to harvest with.

August 23, 1944 - this is going to be a hard letter to write. Yes we're getting furloughs, but only seven measly days. I would be lucky if I could make it home and back in that time. I hate to think of going to Chicago rather than going home but it looks like it's going to have to be that way….I'm glad the harvest is going okay. You'll make out okay. Don't worry or work too much.

August 29, 1944 - Nada finally made it huh? I just wrote her a letter. I think she deserves that at least. I had been hoping all the time it would be a boy but I guess we will have to settle for a girl. I'm wondering what she will name it…..I have to write to Chuck tonight, way behind in my other letters. I make sure I write you regular tho', because I know what it means to you, Mother. It seems hard to sit down and write a bunch of letters, everybody is so on edge. About us cutting 20 acres a day, last year I don't believe so. Never in winter wheat, maybe sometimes in spring. I hope I get to make it home and see the new machine.

September 5, 1944 - I am taking this brief opportunity to drop you this informal note to introduce myself. As your son might have told you I am his pilot in this particular business in which we are both working… A mother is naturally vitally interested in her son's welfare and his safe return from this gruesome business called war. None of us like it or want it or had even planned on it but all of us feel we must do what we can to finish it up. I can assure you that I, and every other member of our crew will make every attempt to bring home our bomber safely each time……Lt. Oscar B. Heintz

September 11, 1944 - Just a line to let you know I'm okay. Got here this morning, just six hours late, they didn't say anything. Lots of the guys aren't back yet, all our crew is tho….It was worth it to come home, and see you really are making out okay. I don't think you will have any trouble and I can stop worrying. I'll write again before we leave.

September 16, 1944 - I got your letter about Jack wanting to leave. I think it is just a silly notion and he'll get over it. But if he does leave, please don't sell, mom. Plant the whole works to alfalfa and build the land up or something. Maybe rent if for a year or anything. Don't get excited. I think he will get over it. There are lots of rumors where we're going now. Lincoln, San Francisco, Rapid City, Michigan. Nobody knows anything. Don't do anything wild at home now. Keep calm. Don't worry about me, I might write again before we leave here.

September 16, 1944 - Gunners Flying Training Report - total flying time 161:40

September 16, 1944 - Individual Flight Record - transferred to Lincoln Nebraska, record shows the dates and duration of missions - 3 in September, 14 in August

September 17th - Certificate of Honor - for completion of Combat Crew Member Training

September 20, 1944 - Lincoln Army Air Force, Lincoln, Nebraska

September 20, 1944 - Hope you are not worried about me. We got here at Lincoln this morning about nine o'clock. It was a nice trip two nights and one day. Had Pullmans, so we had plenty of sleep. Don't know what the score is here, just give me some time. They have lots of new, beautiful 17's here. Maybe we'll get a fly-away ship. I sent home a little scarf that a man's wife made out of an old parachute. There was enough for ten scarves so each of us have one. [It is with the letters] I will write again before we leave. Don't worry. Hope Gary and the little baby are okay.

September 22, 1944 - …I hope everything is going swell at home and Jack forgot the wild idea he had. The harvest should be about over now, I hope. Don't know how long we will be here. Just don't worry. I can take care of myself.

Source:
*B-17 Bomber: http://www.historylink101.com/ww2-planes/aa-b-17-bomber.htm
“Two B-17’s Collide, Uncle Keith Died” by Gary Fredericksen, August 2009.
Family Archives and copies of official records

Harold Keith Fredericksen:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
Part VIII