Frederick Joseph Christensen Jr. (October 17, 1921 – April 4, 2006) was an American fighter pilot and flying ace who flew with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

Prior to World War II, he attended Boston University School of Music and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Promoted to first lieutenant in February and captain in April, Christensen shot down his 16th aircraft on July 5, and also that day incurred the first battle damage of his tour.

[2] On July 7, leading the 62nd FS, Christensen was returning from a bomber escort mission and overflew Gardelegen Airfield, assessing it as a possible strafing target.

Christensen noted numerous parked aircraft dispersed on the field, but then observed a flight of Junkers Ju 52 transports in trail at very low altitude, approaching to land.

He is reputed to have taken Sinbad with him on missions, carrying him in the cockpit of his P-47 as both a good luck charm and inspiration to his fellow pilots, then bringing the cat to the United States as a pet in September 1944 after the end of his tour.

[8] Command pilot Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass device Croix de Guerre, with Palm (Belgium)