Fred Joe Laurentz
Military
Oldest daugher, Laurel.
Object Number - FRE 10081 - Fred Laurentz and a ground crewman of the 370th Fighter Group with their P-38 Lightning nicknamed "Texas Jewell". Handwritten caption on reverse:...
Fred Laurentz (né Gaylord) served as a fighter pilot, flying 50 overseas missions in his P-38 'Texas Jewell,' named after his wife, Jewell. They raised three children in Linden and Houston, Texas.
Fred's love for aircraft and flying led him to join NASA on the ground floor, where he worked on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and shuttle programs. When he retired he became an aviation insurance adjuster.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Galveston, Texas, USA | 10 December 1923 | |
|
Died |
14 February 2011 | ||
|
Born |
Houston, TX, USA | ||
|
Other Married Jewell Williams (1923-2003) |
Exact date not yet known | ||
|
Born |
Linden, TX 75563, USA | ||
|
Enlisted |
Revisions
I am Fred Laurentz's eldest daughter. My great-great-grandmother was married to a Mr. Gaylord and they had a son. Mr. Gaylord rode away in about 1848. Mrs. Gaylord married a Fred Laurentz, who adopted my great-grandfather and changed his name.
Correspondence with Lester Wynn, who wanted to 'identify the pilot of the P38 named "Texas Jewell II" of the Roger Freeman Collection FRE 10081. The pilot's name is "Fred Laurentz", born December 10, 1923, died February 14, 2011. Fred's home town was Linden, Texas. His wife's name was "Jewell". Fred and I were good friends. Our daughters are lifetime friends. '
See also: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=jewel…
