Medals reveal bravery of Falklands air ace
THE medals of a Falklands pilot who led a raid on Goose Green are for sale for £15,000.
Lt Cmdr Rodney “Fred” Frederiksen destroyed at least three Argentine planes in the attack on the heavily defended airfield on May 1, 1982.
Weaving through antiaircraft fire, he landed a series of direct hits on the first day of British operations on the occupied South Atlantic territory.
Courage
Later in the conflict, flying his Sea Harrier, he shot down a Dagger fighter and strafed an enemy patrol boat.
The hero, a member of 800 Naval Air Squadron, flew 55 operations during the hostilities from the flagship HMS Hermes, the most of any pilot.
He was described by colleagues as the “epitome of professionalism” and his commendation told of his “courage and cheerful determination”.
Lt Cmdr Frederiksen, who died in 2009, was awarded the prestigious South Atlantic Medal which is being sold alongside his logbooks by a private collector with London based Dix Noonan Webb.
Auctioneer Oliver Pepys said: “Many of us forget that the Falklands was a complete war with all three services participating.
“Lt Cmdr Frederiksen was lead pilot in the raid on Goose Green and all made it home, with BBC reporter Brian Hanrahan, on board HMS Hermes, famously stating: “I counted them all out and I counted them all back.”
The Royal Navy veteran was born in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, in 1947 and joined up aged 19 in 1966.
He served with 893 Naval Air Squadron and 899 Squadron, flying Sea Vixens and Phantom jet fighter bombers. He also became a
The hero’s medals are on sale today
flying instructor test pilot.
Lt Cmdr Frederikson died aged 62 with a flypast involving a Tornado fighter-bomber from 800 Squadron held at his funeral.
A print depicting the moment he brought down the Argentinian jet at San Carlos Water is also in the archive.
The sale takes place today. and was
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