Info Sheet/Obituary - SP4 David L. Christensen
Died 23 January 1998
Obituary:
David L. Christensen of Grand Island died Friday, January 23, 1998 at the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island. Burial will in the Burkett Cemetery.
Mr. Christensen was born September 5, 1946 to Jim & Bessie (Darrough) Christensen in North Platte. He was raised and received his education in Grand Island, graduating from Grand Island Senior HIgh School in 1965. He entered the United States Army on January 11, 1966 serving during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged on December 15, 1968. Following his military service, Mr. Christensen returned to Grand Island where he was employed at Skagway until 1971. He then worked for Rainbow Bakery for 16 years. He worked at various jobs until his retirement in 1993 because of ill health.
He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and the American Legion Club. He enjoyed fishing, painting, crossword puzzles, bingo and baseball.
Survivors include four daughters; Tara, Cynthia, Jamie and Suzanne all of Grand Island; one son, Jerry of Grand Island.
Comments:
SP4 Dave Christiansen Gunship (Hog) Crew Chief 1966-67. Dave was crew chief on 21 Feb 1968 when his new Hog gunship was shot down near Saigon. See "Shootdown" story.
Woody Gardner: I remember Dave. Had a room in the Hog Pen (Hootch). I think he was a SP5 and was a gunship crew chief. Got shoot down with Charlie Johnson. Took a bullet throw his flight helmet; took some meat of his head and had a big white Bandage until the Flight Surgeon let him fly again. Good Guy! A Hog Rider!