World War II Honoree

Chester L. Christensen

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Woden, Iowa

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private 1st Class. On January 23, 1942, he entered the United States Marine Corps from Iowa, receiving his Combat Infantry Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations, where he served with Headquarters Company, Fifth Marine Regiment a subordinate unit of the First Marine ‘the Old Breed’ Division. He participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal (Battle Dates: August 7, 1942-February 9, 1943) Solomon Islands Campaign, Code Name: Operation Watchtower. Killed in Action Saturday, August 25, 1942 during battle with the Imperial Japanese forces and buried in a battlefield cemetery on Guadalcanal. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his family received his remains for burial, with interment at the Bingham Township Cemetery in Woden, Iowa. This Marine, an American Patriot, so gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.