Aircraft in Accident-February 13,1943- Lt. Roger Larson

[kaki3152]

In a wartime publication I have named "Mediterranean Allied Photo Reconnaissance Wing-Pictorial History", there is a eulogy to pilot Roger Larson:

"Captain Larson, formerly with the RAF Eagle Squadron, was one of the ace recon pilots of this war. He flew missions in direct support of the armies in Tunisia, and was killed 13 February 1943 on a special courier to Tripoli for the Eight Army"

Any further information?

[dp_burke]

This officer:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...JGoxNSRsMCRoMA..


12th Photo Recon Squadron

Roger W Larson O-885585

He had trained with the RCAF before the US entered the war.

[dp_burke]

Not sure the grave stone unit listed is correct, it might have still been the 12th Observation Squadron

[kaki3152]

I'm still looking for details on the crash

[richard.k]

Larson.RW RCAF J-7033

[paulmcmillan]

Canada Gazette, 1867-1946 (Dominion of Canada), vol. 75, no. 15, Regular Issue, October 11, 1941
R71101 Sgt. Roger William Larson (J7033),

[Andy Fletcher]

Larson formerly served with 1 PRU during 1942 before transferring to the USAAF.

[Andy Fletcher]

The USAAF's 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron was re-designated the 12th Photographic Squadron (Light) on 06 Feb 43.

This unit is seperate from the 12th Observation Squadron which was a TacR unit with 10PG as opposed to 12PS which was a part of 3PG.

[paulmcmillan]

1 LIEUT 12 AAF PHOTO RCN SO
WORLD WAR II

Roger William Larson
Birth
1 Apr 1914
Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA
Death
12 Feb 1943 (aged 28)
Tunisia
Burial
Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery
Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA
Plot
Block 3

RESERVE OFFICERS COMMISSIONED 1942-1945
LARSON, ROGER W O-885585 AIR

The Minneapolis Star Page 3
Monday 12 April 1943
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Purple Heart Sent
Local Flier's Mother
Mrs. Albert 1911 Goodrich
avenue, St. Paul, today had
received the Order of the Purple
heart awarded posthumously to
her son Lt Roger W Larson 29
Killed Feb 12 on duty in North
Africa.


Larson enlisted in the RCAF in
1940 and transferred to American
forces overseas last November
was a brother of A O Larson
3647 Abbott avenue S.



Reported Star Tribune 19 Sept 1943 he got Distinguished Flying Cross

[paulmcmillan]

https://www.google.co.uk/books/editi...sec=frontcover

Picture here

Roger W. Larson – Pilot of the Reconnaissance Unit

Roger W. Larson, born in America in 1914, joined the Canadian Air Force in 1940. After his training, he went to England, where he flew missions for, among others, the 1st and 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Units.
The above and the following aerial photo were taken during one of these flights. At the end of 1942, he transferred to the US Army Air Corps.
He was regarded as an excellent pilot and was held in high esteem by his superiors both in the Royal Air Force and in the USA, including Elliott Roosevelt, son of the then US President.
He died on February 12, 1943, during a mission in North Africa and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.