World War II Honoree

Edward Theodore Christensen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Grant, Michigan

Honored By

Anna Christensen

Relationship

Niece

RANK: TECHNICIAN 4TH CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY JANUARY 22, 1941 AT KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN AND BECAME A PARATROOPER, WHO SERVED WITH H-COMPANY, 508TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 82ND AIRBORNE ‘ALL AMERICAN’ DIVISION. HE JUMPED INTO THE AREA OF STE. MERE EGLISE, BATTLE OF NORMANDY ON THE FRENCH COTENTIN PENINSULA IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, D-DAY, TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1944. THIS WAS THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, CODE NAME: OPERATION OVERLORD. PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF HOLLAND, CODE NAME: OPERATION, MARKET GARDEN WITH HIS 2ND COMBAT JUMP. KILLED IN ACTION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1944 IN THE VICINITY OF BEEK, HOLLAND AND IS BURIED IN THE LUXEMBOURG AMERICAN CEMETERY, LOCATED AT LUXEMBOURG CITY, LUXEMBOURG. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: THE BRONZE STAR WITH A BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND THE PURPLE HEART. THE BRONZE STAR WAS AWARDED TO THE SOLDIER FOR BRAVERY, ACT OF MERIT AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN COMBAT.