Sverre Hagbert Pederson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Air Force
PEDERSON, Sverre Hagbert
Sverre Hagbert Pederson was born on March 31st 1920 to Hagbert & Palma [Martinson] Pederson in Milton, North Dakota. The family moved to northeastern Minnesota by 1927.
Mr. Pederson entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in June 29th 1942 at Ft. Snelling in Minneapolis, Minnesota during WWII. Home at Entry: Brittmount, Minnesota.
He was a crew chief with the ground crew, 412th Fighter Squadron, 383rd Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, serving in England, France, Belgium and Germany. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSGT).
SGT Pederson remembered, "The first combat mission was in May 1944, a fighter sweep over Normandy. A pre-invasion escort of B-26 bombers attacked airdromes, bridges and railroads in France. The unit patrolled the air over landing beaches on D-Day, June 6, 1944, hitting troops, tanks, roads, fuel depots and other targets until July. It struck railroads, hangars, boxcars, warehouses to prevent German reinforcements from reaching the front at St. Lo where the Allies broke through on July 25. "
He continued, "During the Battle of Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945 the group destroyed bridges, marshaling yards and highways and flew recon missions to support ground operations in the Rhine Valley, observing airfields, motor transports, etc. The group returned to the U.S. in August 1945 and was deactivated in November. It took part in air campaigns over northern France, the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe."
SGT Pederson earned the following merits for his service:
- Bronze Star,
- Distinguished Unit Citation,
- French Croix de Guerre with Palm,
- Belgium Army Order of the Day Citation,
- Belgian Fourragere,
- Good Conduct Medal,
- European-African-Middle East Campaign Service Medal with 6 bronze battle stars, -and-
- World War II Victory Medal.
He was honorably discharged on September 17th 1945. After the war he returned home and married Ella V. [Phillips] and they started a family.
Mr. Pederson died on August 9th 2006 in Duluth, Minnesota. He is buried at Sand Lake Chapel Cemetery in Britt, Minnesota.
Source(s): Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 242.
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Sverre H Pederson in WWII Army Enlistment Records - Fold3
Sverre H “Pete” Pederson (1920-2006) - Find a Grave Memorial
