BKR3c Edward Lee Christiansen

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cenotaph: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Christiansen...

Parents were Carl and Winona M. (Canny) Christiansen.

Edward and his brother, Carl, were serving on the same ship, the USS Arizona. They both were standing on the main deck awaiting to go ashore on liberty when Edward noticed his cover (hat) was soiled returning below to his crew quarters to replace it. Unfortunately, while still below the Japanese commenced the attack on the Pearl Harbor. The U.S.S. Arizona was struck by a bomb penetrating the forward ammunition magazine virtually destroying the entire ship which sank almost immediately.

Edward is one of over 1000 men who are entombed inside the hull of the ship. His brother, Carl although wounded, was awarded the Purple Heart, discharged in 1942 and returned home to later serve as Police Chief in Columbus, Kansas for 38 years. Carl was very active in the VFW serving a term as the State Commander. Thereafter, on numerous VFW National Committees for years. He was also a life member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association belonging to the Kansas City chapter. Carl was a principal advisor for a national News organization during the 50th Anniversary ceremonies conducted at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.