SSgt Halfdan Sverre Christoffersen
(1908 - 1982)
Profile
SSgt Halfdan S. Christoffersen was one of the Danish nationals who enlisted in the USAAF during the Second World War. He served as a member of an emergency rescue boat.
Halfdan Sverre Christoffersen (originally Kristoffersen) was born on 16 June 1908 in Copenhagen, to Sevald Kristoffersen and Emma Kristine Mathilde Kristoffersen (née Villumsen).[1]
Christoffersen arrived in the United States as a galley boy onboard the SS Frederik VIII in late July 1926. He deserted the ship on arrival.[2] He remained at see engaged onboard ships sailing between South and North America.[3]
Christoffersen enlisted as a private in the US Army in New Work City, New York, on 23 June 1943. He was not yet a citizen.[4] Christoffersen was trained as emergency rescue boat crew. On 3 December 1943, he was assigned to 1007th QM Rescue Boat OTU (Aviation) at NOAAB, New Orleans, Louisiana.[5]
Four months later, on 13 April 1944 Christoffersen was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was assigned to 44th AAF Emergency Rescue Boat Crew at 2121st AAF Base Unit (Emergency Rescue School), Keesler Field, Mississippi, at the time.[6] A week before his promotion, he had been naturalised as a citizen of the United States.[7] He was released from service on 1 December 1945.[8]
Christoffersen died on 6 January 1982 in Palm Beach, Florida.[9]
Endnotes
[1] Parish register, Sankt Jakob sogn.
[2] Ancestry: New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957.
[3] Ancestry: New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., Passenger Lists, 1813-1963.
[4] Ancestry: U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946.
[5] NARA: RG 54, Morning Reports, Morning Reports December 1943: Roll 56 (3 of 3) (NAID: 457836154).
[6] NARA: RG 54, Morning Reports, Morning Reports April 1944: Roll 455 (4 of 4) (NAID: 468717936).
[7] Ancestry: Mississippi, U.S., Naturalization Records, 1907-2008.
[8] Ancestry: U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010.
[9] Ancestry: U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014.