In Memory of
Army, Private First Class
Charles E. Christensen
Viborg, South Dakota
Turner County
July 7, 1920 - December 15, 1944
Killed in Action at Lisdorf, Germany

Charles E. Christensen was born July 7, 1920, on the family’s farm outside of Viborg, South Dakota.  His parents, Edwin H. and Catherine J. Christensen, sent Charles to school in Viborg where he completed 12 years of schooling.  Following that he farmed with his father until he was drafted into the army during August of 1942.

After being drafted into the Army in Turner County, Private Christensen received two years of training at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas before receiving additional training at Camp Swift in Texas, Louisiana, California, and Pennsylvania.  On August 6, 1944, Private Christensen was sent overseas to Germany.  The rank he held was of a Private, First Class.  He served in General Patton’s army, 95^th Division, Company M., 378^th Infantry. On December 15, 1944, Army Private First Class Charles E. Christensen, along with his fellow comrades, attempted to cross the Seine River in an overloaded boat during a flood.  On May 9, 1945, Mr. Edwin H. Christensen received this letter of regret:

It is with profound regret that I confirm the recent telegram informing you of the
death of your son, Private First Class, Charles E. Christensen, 37,451,002 Infantry,
who was previously reported missing in action on 15 December 1944 in Germany…

Private Christensen was originally buried in Luxemburg, Germany and later transported to the Baptist Cemetery in Viborg, South Dakota. The only surviving relatives of Private Christensen are brother Delano Christensen of Yankton, South Dakota, and sister Correne Hofer of Toledo, Ohio.

Charles E. Christensen was a great soldier who gave his life for the United States.  He will always be remembered as a hero.

This entry was respectively submitted by Erin McDonald, 11^th grade, Parker High School, April 30, 2002.  Mr. Delano Christensen, Yankton, South Dakota, brother of Private First Class Charles E. Christensen, and an application for the South Dakota Veteran’s Bonus provided the information for this entry.