G. Unger Vetlesen

Georg Unger Vetlesen (1889–1959) was a Norwegian shipbuilder and naturalized American philanthropist.

Background

Vetlesen was born in Oslo, Norway, the son of a well-known Norwegian surgeon. At age eleven, he became a crew member on a ship bound for Copenhagen. He earned degrees in naval architecture and mechanical engineering from the Imperial Institute of London, and went on to work for a British shipbuilding firm. In 1913, Vetlesen migrated to Canada where he worked as a miner. In 1916 he migrated to the United States and worked in the shipbuilding industry.

Career

During World War II, Vetlesen worked to rebuild the Royal Norwegian Air Force. In 1943 he joined the United States Navy, as a Commander in the Special Forces headquarters in London to work with the Norwegian resistance. After the war, Vetlesen led the United States company representing the Norwegian America Line, and was a founder and chairman of the board of Scandinavian Airlines System.

G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation