Fredrik Löwenhielm

Major General Fredrik Adolf Löwenhielm (9 June 1916 – 11 May 2008) was a Swedish Army officer. Löwenhielm began his military career in 1937 as a second lieutenant in Stockholm and steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a cavalry captain in 1945 and later serving in the General Staff Corps. He attended military colleges in Sweden and abroad, including in England, Norway, France, Canada, and the United States. During the 1950s and 1960s, he contributed to several Swedish defense inquiries and held key positions such as regimental commander and army inspector. From 1968 to 1971, he commanded the Gotland Military Command, and from 1971 to 1980, he was Chief of Home Guard, where he led major reforms and modernization efforts. His tenure saw upgrades in weapons, training, medical support, and increased funding.

After his military service, Löwenhielm became Master of Ceremonies and held important ceremonial roles within the Swedish royal orders. He authored a key reference on Swedish orders and medals and was active in several historical and religious societies. He remained involved in royal and cultural affairs well into the 1990s.

Early life Löwenhielm was born on 9 June 1916 in Oscar Parish, Stockholm, Sweden, into the Löwenhielm family, the son of Lieutenant Colonel Wilhelm Löwenhielm and Countess Beth Wachtmeister. He passed studentexamen at Östra Real in Stockholm in 1934.

Career

Military career Löwenhielm completed his officer training in 1937 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Life Regiment of Horse in Stockholm the same year. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1939 and attended the Royal Swedish Army Staff College from 1944 to 1946. In 1945, he became a ryttmästare (cavalry captain). He also attended joint Army, Navy, and Air Force courses in England in 1950 and 1951. and was Chief of Home Guard from 1 October 1971 to 31 December 1980. During his tenure, several reforms were introduced for both the general and operational (driftvärnet) Home Guard—such as new wartime roles and improved leadership structures. A broad modernization of Home Guard armament began, including the introduction of automatic rifles, new machine guns, grenade launchers, and modern mines. Uniforms were upgraded, and medical and field kitchen services were enhanced. The Home Guard's budget increased significantly during this period, and several large-scale exercises were conducted, including two national alerts. In 1976, the new training facility at the National Home Guard Combat School—Petrigården, named after the Home Guard's founder—was inaugurated.

Personal life In 1941, Löwenhielm married Baroness Barbara Beck-Friis (1919–2013), the daughter of Baron Jochum Beck-Friis, an administrative officer (kanslisekreterare), and his wife Signe (née Grenander). Children: Carl (born 1942) and Anna (born 1946). He spent his final days in care at . The funeral service was held at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm on 30 May 2008, followed by a reception at the on Slottsbacken 2. On 8 July 2008, he was buried in his wife's family grave at Falsterbo Old Cemetery, adjacent to Falsterbo Church in Skåne County.

Dates of rank 1937 – Second lieutenant 1939 – Lieutenant 1945 – Ryttmästare 1948 – Captain 1952 – Major 1958 – Lieutenant colonel 1961 – Colonel 1968 – Major general

Awards and decorations 50x50px H. M. The King's Medal, 12th size gold (silver-gilt) medal worn around the neck on the Order of the Seraphim ribbon (1985)

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Honours Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences (1958)