Flying combat missions according to Svend Hansen was, "an emotion similar to playing Watsonville High School in 1936 except the stakes are higher and the results more tangible and long lasting."

Svend J. W. Hansen was born in Santa Cruz, California, on June 30, 1920, to Mr. and Mrs. Svend J. Hansen of Ben Lomond. In 1928 while Svend and his sister Anita were attending Ben Lomond Grammar School, their mother died. In 1934 Hansen entered Santa Cruz High School, where he was active in sports and excelled in football. After graduating from high school in 1937, Svend entered San Jose State College. During his three years in college, Sven helped pay his expenses by working part time as a sales clerk. He also earned a block letter in football.

In December 1941 Hansen enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in Monterey and was sent to MacDill Field, Florida, for basic training followed by radio school. While serving in the army, he wrote several articles for the Santa Cruz Riptide weekly newspaper, describing life in an army camp. In May 1942 Svend Hansen was sent to England where he joined a B-17 crew in the 340th Bombardment Squadron of the 17th Bombardment Group.

During the North African campaign, Hansen flew missions as a radio operator and gunner aboard a B-17 named "Flaming Mayme." In November 1942 Svend downed his first German Messerschmitt while flying over Tunis, Tunisia. General James Doolittle later awarded Svend the Air Medal for his North African service.

Hansen continued to fly combat missions with what he described as, "an emotion similar to playing Watsonville High School in 1936 except the stakes are higher and the results more tangible and long lasting." The stakes became much more long lasting for Sergeant Svend Hansen on February 1, 1943, when his bomber was seen to go into a steep dive over Tunisia. Four parachutes were seen leaving the plane; however, Hansen's was not one of them.

Svend Hansen's remains were recovered and returned to Santa Cruz for burial in 1950 in Santa Cruz Memorial Garden Cemetery.

(NARA2 SCHSC, Pg. 10; SCR May 22, 1942 1, November 6, 1942 1; SCSn December 20, 1942 1:4, February 18,1943 1:8)