Alf Amundsen (June 20, 1909–January 7, 1996)

By Joseph Barry and Sarah Schneider

Early Years

Transport List for the SS Bergensfjord, September 21, 1925

Alf Amundsen was born on June 20, 1909, in Brevik, Norway, to parents Amandus and Anna Amundsen.¹ Two years later, his younger brother, Ove Amundsen, was born.² Alf immigrated with his parents and brother to the United States on the SS Bergensfjord, which left Oslo, Norway, on September 21, 1928 as is seen here on the ship’s manifest.³ A “mass exodus” of emigration from Norway started in the mid-1860s and continued through the end of the nineteenth century and into the beginning of the twentieth century.⁴ While not part of the earlier three main waves of emigration, there was a notable migration of people out of Norway in the 1920s, when Amundsen and his family left the country.⁵ In the years 1920 to 1929, there were 888,520 Norwegians who left the country, a substantial number but noticeably lower than the average yearly rate of emigration before World War I.⁶ Some of the emigration in the 1920s came from those who were unable to emigrate during World War I, and some of it was due to unemployment in Norway in the 1920s that coincided with improved economic conditions in the United States.⁷ The Amundsen family may have similarly decided to emigrate to the United States in order to seek out economic opportunities.

Although Norwegian-Americans made up less than two percent of the United States’ population during Amundsen’s lifetime, Norwegian-American communities developed throughout the country.⁸ The Lutheran Church played an important role in these communities and “was the largest and mightiest of the immigrant institutions.”⁹ However, many immigrants who were involved in the Church were not formal members.¹⁰ Amundsen was Lutheran, and the Lutheran Church may have provided him with a connection to the Norwegian community after his arrival in the United States.¹¹

1930 US Census, Alf Amundsen and family, lines 22-25

By 1930, Amundsen was living with his family in North Bergen, NJ, as can be seen here on the 1930 census.¹² His father worked as a machinist in a woolen factory, Alf worked as a baker, and his brother worked as an elevator operator.¹³ Alf and his father had both started the paperwork process to become naturalized citizens, but had not yet become naturalized.¹⁴ The census also lists a boarder, Andrew White, living with the Amundsen family in 1930. He was a fellow Norwegian immigrant who appears to have immigrated in the same year as the Amundsens.¹⁵ In 1940, Alf was still living with his parents in North Bergen, though his brother is not listed as living with the family.¹⁶ A boarder named Ronald Olsen lived with the family in 1940.¹⁷ Alf continued to work as a baker, and his father was still doing factory work. It appears that neither of them had become naturalized citizens by 1940.¹⁸

World War II Service in the US Army

Alf Amundsen and his family may have been eager to hear news about Norway as World War II began in Europe. Norwegian-Americans created an organization called American Relief for Norway in response to the German invasion of Norway in 1940.¹⁹ Through this organization, aid was sent to Norway via the neutral countries of Sweden and, until it was occupied, Denmark.²⁰ It is possible that the Amundsen family supported these relief efforts.

Amundsen served in the US Army during the Second World War.²¹ He entered the service on February 16, 1943.²² Little is known about his military service, but he was sent to England during the war and he may have been part of the Allied invasion of France.²³ It is possible that he served in the 99th Infantry Battalion, which was a special battalion made up of Norwegian-speaking troops who were primarily Norwegian immigrants or the children of Norwegian immigrants.²⁴ In addition to going to Norway near the end of the war, they also served throughout Europe, including in England and France.²⁵ Amundsen reached the rank of Private First Class during his time in the military.²⁶

While stationed in England during the war, he met his soon-to-be wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Smith.²⁷ The couple married in England in 1945, and Betty immigrated to the United States in April of 1946 as one of many war brides.²⁸

Post-Service Career, Family, and Move to Florida

After the war, Alf and Betty Amundsen lived in New Jersey.²⁹ It appears that Alf Amundsen continued his career as a baker after his military service and eventually retired from that profession.³⁰ Betty Amundsen worked as a key punch operator in the United States after her arrival, a job that she had previously done in England.³¹ The Amundsens started a family and had a daughter, Norma, and a son, Paul.³²

The Amundsen family moved to New Port Richey, FL, around 1973.³³ Amundsen was among many other Norwegian immigrants who eventually moved to the Sunbelt.³⁴ Like others, he may have decided to move to Florida for his retirement.³⁵ In the 1960s and 1970s, there were eleven Sons of Norway lodges created in Florida, attesting to the influx of Norwegian-Americans.³⁶ In Tampa Bay, a Viking Ship Regatta celebrates May 17, Norwegian Constitution Day, and lodges from around the state race rowboats and take part in celebrations.³⁷ Amundsen was a member of the Sons of Norway lodge in Green Pond, NJ, and it is possible that he took part in the Florida-based organizations and events after he moved.³⁸ He also belonged to the Calusa Woodcarvers organization while living in New Port Richey.³⁹ Amundsen’s interest in woodcarving may have related to his Norwegian background; woodcarving underwent a revival in the 1970s around the time of a revival in other types of Norwegian folk art and culture.⁴⁰

Amundsen passed away in New Port Richey on January 7, 1996, at the age of eighty-six.⁴¹ He is recognized at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL where a memorial marker, featuring a Lutheran Cross, bears his name.⁴²

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