Lee R. Christensen's Photos and Stories From Mt. Pleasant

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Our Friend Lee R. Christensen Has Passed On

Lee R. Christensen

January 19, 1922 to June 2, 2018

He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.

Lee Christensen (Buddy) became suddenly ill last week and passed away at the hospital on Saturday. He was very healthy physically and mentally right up until a few days before his death. He died peacefully and without pain.

Lee was born in Chicago, Illinois, where his father was attending law school at Northwestern University, on either November 19, 1921 or January 19, 1922 (dependent on whether you go by the date Lee's family celebrated or his birth certificate). After his father's graduation from Northwestern, the family returned to Mt. Pleasant, Utah, where Lee was known as "Buddy." Lee spent his summers either working on his grandfather's sheep ranch or on a summer project assigned by his father (e.g. minding a cow and selling milk, growing and selling potatoes, chopping down trees and selling the firewood).

Lee played in the marching band at Hamilton grade school, and initially attended North Sanpete High School. During his junior and senior years, Lee attended Wasatch Academy, where in his 1939 yearbook, it was noted that, "he has the type of mind you can sharpen your own on." Lee graduated from Wasatch Academy in 1940 as vice-president of his senior class.

Shortly after graduation, Lee enlisted in the Army, where he was selected to attend Officer Training School in 1942, and was sent to Europe to serve on the front lines of WWII. Lee participated in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day IV, where he was wounded in battle on August 1, 1944 on the outskirts of Percy, France. He was back in action on December 15. If you're a WWII buff (like Lee) you will remember that Hitler had planned his Ardennes offensive (Battle of the Bulge) to begin on December 1. Per Lee, "Hitler was trying to start it before I could get back to the front. Hitler failed and the rest is history..." Lee was discharged from the Army on December 26, 1945 as a First Lieutenant.

After the end of the war, Lee continued in the Army Reserves (making rank of Major) and was a life-long amateur historian in WWII. He completed his bachelor degree in Political Science at UC Berkeley on the GI Bill, and was then hired by the federal government to work for its relatively new "start-up" – the Social Security Administration. Lee spent his entire career working for the SSA, helping ensure individuals understood social security and received their benefits. Lee retired from the SSA as an assistant regional commissioner out of the Seattle office.

Lee was an outdoor enthusiast and summited Mt Rainier twice. He loved all animals and never met a dog that didn't love him. Lee had a very rich Mormon background. All of his grandparents were born in Utah. He had great-grandparents in Nauvoo, Illinois, and all of them migrated to Utah by 1860, some as early as 1849. His father served a two-year mission in Norway from 1909 to 1912. Despite this, Lee was not a Mormon; although he studied genealogy and his family history (in the days before the internet, when everything was on paper records!)

Lee met Barbara Davis at Berkeley, and they married in December 1949.The couple divorced after raising three daughters (Kitty Christensen, Tracy Trick, and Robyn Christensen-Sandfort). Lee is survived by his three daughters and two grandchildren (Thomas Lee Sandfort and Maya Zichun Sandfort), and four sisters (Ruth Klass, Ginger Keville, Sally MacArthur, and Dottie Smith).

Per Lee's wishes, there will be no service. Brookside Funeral Home is assisting the family. Lee will be cremated and his ashes spread on the ranch in Yakima, WA, overlooking the hills and mountains that he loved.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the following organizations:

- PAWS: https://www.paws.org/support/donate/

- America's VetDogs: https://www.vetdogs.org/AV/HowtoHelp/AV/HowToHelp/howtohelp.aspx?hkey=677506ac-919b-46bf-8ca8-52a79662f43d

- Wasatch Academy: http://wasatchacademy.org/giving/

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Lee R. Christensen: January 19, 1922 -- June 2, 2018

He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.

Lee was born in Chicago, Illinois, where his father was attending law school at Northwestern University, on either November 19, 1921 or January 19, 1922 (dependent on whether you go by the date Lee’s family celebrated or his birth certificate). After his father’s graduation from Northwestern, the family returned to Mt. Pleasant, Utah, where Lee was known as “Buddy.” Lee spent his summers either working on his grandfather’s sheep ranch or on a summer project assigned by his father (e.g. minding a cow and selling milk, growing and selling potatoes, chopping down trees and selling the firewood).

Lee played in the marching band at Hamilton grade school, and initially attended North Sanpete High School. During his junior and senior years, Lee attended Wasatch Academy, where in his 1939 yearbook, it was noted that, “he has the type of mind you can sharpen your own on.” Lee graduated from Wasatch Academy in 1940 as vice-president of his senior class.

Shortly after graduation, Lee enlisted in the Army, where he was selected to attend Officer Training School in 1942, and was sent to Europe to serve on the front lines of WWII. Lee participated in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day IV, where he was wounded in battle on August 1, 1944 on the outskirts of Percy, France. He was back in action on December 15. If you’re a WWII buff (like Lee) you will remember that Hitler had planned his Ardennes offensive (Battle of the Bulge) to begin on December 1. Per Lee, “Hitler was trying to start it before I could get back to the front. Hitler failed and the rest is history…” Lee was discharged from the Army on December 26, 1945 as a First Lieutenant.

After the end of the war, Lee continued in the Army Reserves (making rank of Major) and was a life-long amateur historian in WWII. He completed his bachelor degree in Political Science at UC Berkeley on the GI Bill, and was then hired by the federal government to work for its relatively new “start-up” – the Social Security Administration. Lee spent his entire career working for the SSA, helping ensure individuals understood social security and received their benefits. Lee retired from the SSA as an assistant regional commissioner out of the Seattle office.

Lee was an outdoor enthusiast and summited Mt Rainier twice. He loved all animals and never met a dog that didn’t love him. Lee had a very rich Mormon background. All of his grandparents were born in Utah. He had great-grandparents in Nauvoo, Illinois, and all of them migrated to Utah by 1860, some as early as 1849. His father served a two-year mission in Norway from 1909 to 1912. Despite this, Lee was not a Mormon; although he studied genealogy and his family history (in the days before the internet, when everything was on paper records!)

Per Lee’s wishes, there will be no service. Brookside Funeral Home is assisting the family. Lee will be cremated and his ashes spread on the ranch in Yakima, WA, overlooking the hills and mountains that he loved.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the following organizations:

- PAWS: https://www.paws.org/support/donate/

- America’s VetDogs: https://www.vetdogs.org/AV/HowtoHelp/AV/HowToHelp/howtohelp.aspx?hkey=677506ac-919b-46bf-8ca8-52a79662f43d

- Wasatch Academy: http://wasatchacademy.org/giving/

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Virtual Wall

You probably know about this web site but in case you don't it's very well done!

This is absolutely amazing if you know anyone from your home town that died in the Vietnam War,

Vietnam Wall--THIS IS AMAZING!

This is really sobering. First click on a state. When it opens, scroll down to the city where you went to high school and look at the names. Click on the name and it will give details of the person's death, a picture or at least their bio and medals.

This really is an amazing web site. Someone spent a lot of time and effort to create it.

I hope that everyone who receives this appreciates what those who served in Vietnam sacrificed for our country.

http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm

Brent Hal Mc Arthur

Specialist Four
A CO, 1ST BN, 7TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Mount Pleasant, Utah
July 21, 1946 to November 20, 1969
BRENT H Mc ARTHUR is on the Wall at Panel W16, Line 101
See the full profile or name rubbing for Brent Mc Arthur

http://www.virtualwall.org/dm/McarthurBH01a.htm

Gary Ruel Mower

First Lieutenant
C CO, 5TH BN, 46TH INFANTRY, AMERICAL DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Fairview, Utah
March 18, 1944 to May 22, 1970
GARY R MOWER is on the Wall at Panel W10, Line 82
See the full profile or name rubbing for Gary Mower

http://www.virtualwall.org/dm/MowerGR01a.htm

~~~~~~~

Dee Bergera

Private First Class
A CO, 3RD BN, 21ST INFANTRY, 196TH INFANTRY BDE,
AMERICAL DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Helper, Utah
August 31, 1948 to June 15, 1971
DEE BERGERA is on the Wall at Panel W3, Line 76
See the full profile or name rubbing for Dee Bergera

Graduated from Wasatch Academy

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Lee R. Christensen WWII Diary continued........

\
By Way of Explanation

My Diary ,with photos , covering the first 6 months of WW 2 has now been posted in full to the Mt Pleasant Pioneer and Relic home Blog and my Blog (leechristensen.blogspot.com). It was serialized so the last section starting with May ’42 comes up first but you can scroll to the first section starting Dec ’41 and then read it thru the four sections.

Some months down the line I’ll post my week long pass in Paris after stopping the Germans during the Bulge but I’ve posted this first so you won’t think my military service was all “wine, women and song”. lee

I started my diary 8^th December 1941. Not because that is the day after Pearl Harbor, but because that was the day the 2^nd Battalion 222 Field Artillery Regiment was scheduled to leave for the Oakland (California) Port of Embarkation and the Philippines Islands, code name “Plum.”

The attack on Pearl Harbor 7^th December drastically altered the schedule but it was 3 days before new orders were issued. In the meantime, we left Camp San Luis Obispo on schedule, motored to San Francisco, crossed the Bay Bridge and spent 4 days at the Oakland Army Base waiting for new orders, unloading our equipment and moving out to a new assignment.

When this diary starts, I’m a gun Sgt in Btry “D”, 2^nd Bn 222 FA Reg. 40^th Division. When the army modernized the Infantry Division in early 1942 Btry “D” became Btry “A” 204 FA Bn-a separate FA battalion.

Btry “D” (which became Btry “A”) was a Utah National Guard unit federalized 3^rd March 1941 and from Mt. Pleasant, Utah. It was still 65% men from in and around Mt. Pleasant on 8^th December.

I don’t know how good an Army unit had to be to be sent to the Philippines fall of 1941. But I’ve always thought being selected to go 6 months after going on active duty was commendable recognition. However, after passing the GHQ tests and being selected, all our over age-in-grade officers were reassigned, one of whom was my father, Major Lee R. Christensen. We lost the officers’ who made us good.

The officers we lost went on to lead service units overseas. The Battalion, at the 204^th, regrouped, lost many men to other services, OCS, Air Force, and Cadres but earned 5 battle stars in the ETO. (European Theatre of Operation.) By then they had modern equipment; radios, jeeps, machine guns and a 155 howitzer that was not a rusting relic of WWl.

Monday, May 11, 1942

They’ve gone and done it. The worse has come. We now inspect the trucks be the numbers. They’re (Duffin) is working on a method of removing dust from the howitzers by the numbers. God be good to those that cannot count.

The 2nd BN 204 F.A. found this dust haven in the hills today. After they reach a toughened state we’ll both go to Tennessee.

Sunday, May 17, 1942

Tuesday was to be a “gold bricks” holiday. Yes, I was going to relax and loaf cause it was moving day. I didn’t rush my bed to the new area and then., sweet dreams. That’s what I thought. It’s true I hurried my bed roll to the new dust bowl and just as soon lost it till late at night. The second section was assigned to constructing the fire pit and soakage sump. (where the men threw wet garbage and then threw dirt on it) The day was back breaking and hand callousing. Hell, the digging was tough.

Still in a digging mood we dug fox holes many and deep Wednesday. Leo Truscott sunk one into the ground four feet deep and five feet long. It would have taken a direct hit to neutralize him.

Thursday the week begins. I was called to appear before another Officers Candidate board. Waved my dusty hand at Camp Dust and was toward Naches pass by 10 am. Was calling Ft. Lewis home at 3 pm. “My Favorite Blonde” kept me entertained during the evening.

Some chain smoked. A few paced the floor. I chewed gum. All wondered. A couple crammed. Most thought it too late. Everyone hoped. That was the lobby scene of the exam room. It was our day. Opportunity was at our door.

“Sgt. Christensen A Btry 204 F.A. sir.”

“Be seated Sgt. and make yourself comfortable.”

For the next 15 minutes’ questions on gunnery, ballistics, history and current events were shot my way. Some I answered, some I didn’t. I think I got an average score. Average isn’t good enough.

Chris Madsen and I did the thumbing, Loyd Adams the talking. Result-- Seattle and the Ice Follies. The Follies are skaters ahead of anything I’ve seen in the entertainment field. Handball court No 2 Y.M.C.A. listened to my snores. *(we slept at the Y.M.C.A.)

McCord Field was visited by the three A Btry thumbers Saturday. Purpose was to investigate why Chris hadn’t been called to the air corps. Found nothing.

It was “thumb up” again to Yakima via Seattle, Washington Lake Bridge and Ellensburg.

Lloyd and I accepted Vernal Christensen’s hospitality and bedded down in Rex Hafen’s hotel room in Yakima. Early Sunday morning we were rolled out and made to sleep on the floor.

Now its home again. Home again for a long stay.

Monday, May 18, 1942

The first BN. 204^th F.A. got extra duty tonight. Each and every one of us was marched over to our old camp site and made to police it up. The band played jolly airs while we crawled along looking for trash. Kennedy did a hot jitterbug number that kept us from breaking into tears. Duffin is sort of tough on us.

Wednesday, May 27, 1942

Sunlight minutes crawled hurriedly into Past canyon. The black hours follow closely. Time fly’s to my liking.

Rattlesnakes have supplanted apple blossoms in Yakima valley. It’s a disappointing day if we don’t get five of the buzzing terrifiers. Nearly everyone can tell if a close strike, fortunately none have yet been better. The rattlers are not very large here and don’t give much warning. The rattles are retained and worn on the hat of the exterminator.

The second section was slightly reorganized Monday. Cpt. John Seely was shifted to the Signal detail while Cpl. Willis Madsen was assigned to the second gun crew.

Del Ray Sorensen has gone home on emergency furlough. Ralph Hill is pushing Prime Mover over hill and dale.

I seem to have Roy Smitier fixed. We bet on the Nova-Savold fight with my choice winning. This makes about the fourth time I’ve collected money from him on bets.

The rains have been present lately. They keep the dust settled adding a smile to the day.

I’m lonesome tonight—couldn’t get a newspaper.

Sunday, May 31, 1942

I was painting the worn places on Helens dress when the hint was first dropped. Captain Hatch strolled by and said, “Do a good job your going to be here only twenty more days.” I didn’t know what he meant tell later Friday evening.

The order read “Sgt. Lee R. Christensen Jr. has been accepted as a candidate for Officers School and he will report to Fort Sill, Oklahoma on or before June 23, 1942.” I had made one bar now to earn the other one. Work, fight, work, you will not fail.

The Japs continue to scare someone. Yesterday being a holiday no passes were issued. It seems that the Japs are going to attack only on holidays.

Tuesday, June 2, 1942

“Payday! Payday! What ya gona do with a drunken soldier “payday! Payday!” That was yesterday.

“What ya gonna to do with a killing headache day after! Day after!” That’s today.

Went into town last tonight to get John’s quart. Saw a show and helped Tiger back to camp.

Went into town today “goldbricking.” (goofing off) Bought me some dark glasses.

Sunset time found me on hands and knees talking to the “bones.” I must have been convincing as I won fifteen dollars.

Friday, June 5, 1942

Just finished a tour of guard duty. Nothing got out of the rut. Mother’s package reached me in non-com meeting. Nothing to do but open it and pass it around. The men surely liked the cookies. Second section has eaten all the rice balls.

(soldier ready for guard duty)

Spirits get lower and lower as the days hotter and hotter. No one gives a good hoot in hell for anything. Everyone is trying to get transferred. Duffin the man breaker. To hell with Duffin.

Monday, June 8, 1942

“Order Arms.” Shovels and picks were dropped to order arms in a very military manner. At that moment Co. Ward ordered Newel Nelson back to the Bty straight for his shovel. For once a noncom had soldiered too well with his men. Newel spent Sunday digging ditches.

Our fat covered muscles are being pounded into shape by the obstacle course. We run around it at a good lope four times a day. Look out 4 minute mile.

The O.C.S. men are starting to brush up on our work. A good thing. Just as well know all we can.

The sweet refrain of cowboy ballads is filling my wigwam. Tonight the mandolin and guitar players of the BTRY. are here playing. I prefer this music to any symphony outfit.

Saturday, June 13, 1942

I’m off. It’s been a man eating week but I made it. The airplane motors are humming, each turn of the prop taking me farther south. The pines, swamps and lakes of Washington are stretched and hollow. Rivers wind and twist still smiling in the otherwise black world.

I thumbed from Yakima Thursday a day ahead of the outlet. Spent Friday meandering at the Fort trying to get things in order so as to leave. Saturday, today. I made it.

Leaves BN 204^th (great outfit) for OCS—class 30.

END

BATTERY OF JUNE 1942

Richard Atkenson ILL.

George Feck ILL.

Leonard Flavin ILL.

Joseph Deak ILL.

Creed McCormick Tenn.

Charles Dunn Calf.

Ralph Hill Idaho

Arkly Bilby ILL.

Walter Goodwin Utah

Carlton Iverson Minn.

Samuel Jones Mo.

Walfred Juntunen Mich.

Donald Kragskow Neb.

Tomas Kent Ohio

Estil Kittinger Mo.

Robert N. Kilgour Calf.

Lawrence Kime Calf.

Oliver Laubacher Ohio

Russ E. Lloyd Calf.

Melvin E. Link Missouri

Louis Seal Calf.

Marrion Modzeldwski Mich.

John Morrison Calf.

John L. Milner Ga.

Wesley Mc Shan Texas

Roy B. Nieker Calif.

Ernest Noble Calif.

Thomas Schwenke Mont.

Clyde Tucker Tenn.

Johnnie Thomas Tenn.

Vernon True Calf.

Mike J. Viola Calf.

Hugh Wiseman Tenn.

Garvice Williams Texas

Earl Williams Texas

William Vesselius Wash.

Sam H. Whitman N.C.

Bascum Westmoreland Texas

Armond W. Cowles Ill.

Charles D. Cahill Mont.

George E. Coles Or.

Lawrence A. Cooney Calf.

Garner Jensen Utah

Heber Bagley Utah

Del Ray Sorenson Utah

Jim Cloward Utah

Hayes Draper Utah

Wilber Baxter Utah

Spencer Thompson Utah

Vernan Christensen Utah

Larmar Barney Utah

MT. PLEASANT MEN

William Beck

Oscar Frandsen

D.H. Christensen

Carole Staker

Gordon Staker

Dean Staker

Floyd Syndergard
La Mar Syndergard
Willbur Rasmussen
Paul B. Seely
Boyd Seely
John R. Seely
Rex Hafen
Newel Nelson
Ned Stansfield
Boyd Stansfield
Ben Rasmussen
Mont Rasmussen
Perry Peel

Lynn Poulsen

Micky Nelson

Leslie Nelson

Tom Pace

Eugene Rosenlof

Willis Rosenlof

Lauren Coats

Melvin Davidson

Delmar Beck

Shirley Madsen

Boyd Hansen

Veron Draper

Quantin Hansen

Mont Christensen

Frank Reusch

Willis Madsen

Earl Christensen

Vel Trascott

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Our Friend Lee R. Christensen Has Passed On

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Lee R. Christensen: January 19, 1922 -- June 2, 2018