Fred Haviland was born on March 24, 1915, in Tampa, Florida. He entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces on November 5, 1941, and was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings on May 20, 1942. Haviland served in Training Command as an instructor pilot for the next two years, and after completing P-51 Mustang training, he deployed to England in May 1944 and was assigned to the 357th Fighter Squadron of the 355th Fighter Group in June 1944. Between June and November 1944, Capt Haviland was credited with the destruction of 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 2 damaged, and 6 more on the ground with 3 damaged while strafing enemy airfields. He returned to the U.S. in February 1945, and left active duty on August 31, 1945. Fred Haviland died on March 17, 1989.

His 1st (of 5) Distinguished Flying Cross Citation reads:

For extraordinary achievement and heroism in aerial flight while leading a flight of P-51 airplanes on a mission to strafe an airfield east of Angers in France, 24 June 1944. This mission was the second of the day attempted by another flight of the squadron, but due to their supply of ammunition being exhausted, they had to return to base. Captain Haviland, fully realizing the danger of attacking a field so heavily armed and pre-warned, attacked with such grim determination and courage as to destroy three enemy airplanes and wreck havoc to vital ground targets. The manner in which he subjected himself to serious personal danger, his exhibition of skill and courage reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.