2nd Lt. Benjamin Christensen
2nd Lt. Benjamin Christensen died in a hospital in Karlshamn, Sweden, after crash landing with Aircraft 42-31192 (YB-R), B-17G in Farabol, Sweden. His plane was hit by flak over Politz, Germany. It was his 2nd mission.
∼KANKAKEE REPUBLICAN NEWS - KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1945
Death of Lt. Christensen Is Described
Family Also Learns About Military Burial In Sweden
Mrs. Doris Christensen of 343 South Rosewood Avenue has received a group of pictures and newspaper articles from the Legation of the United States of America, Office of the Military Air Attache in Stockholm, Swede concerning the death and burial of her husband, Second Lt. Benjamin E. Christensen, son of Mrs. Louise Christensen of 494 West Mulberry Street.
The letter Mrs. Christensen received from Lt. Col. Felix M. Hardison, Military Air Attache in Stockholm, reads in part:
"As a result of a tremendous air battle over Germany, Lt. Peterson's ship sustained battle damage so great that it was impossible for him to take the ship back to his base. A Course was taken to this country. Because of the damage sustained, however control was lost of the aircraft and a crash landing resulted. It was only due to the superior manner in which the crippled plane was handled that the crew was able to reach this country. As a result of the crash, Lt. Christensen was fatally injured and died soon after reaching the hospital.
Having been on active combat duty myself, and having seen many of my good friends go down, I understand your grief in this trying time. I wish I could have had the pleasure of meeting and knowing Benjamin. From the reports of his fellow crew members, he was one of America's best. It is men like Lt. Christensen, giving all they have, that will bring this war to a more rapid close and enable our country to emerge victorious."
Services are Held
The description of the burial services follows:
"The amphitheater in Malmö East Cemetery at Malmö, Sweden provided a fitting setting for the solemn occasion when services were held for Benjamin and ten other heroic airmen.
The Swedish and American military and state department authorities, with cooperation from local citizens, arranged the service. It was conducted according to Swedish military custom.
The Swedish custom of placing wreaths on the caskets during the services is impressive. A representative of the organization giving the wreath expresses a few words of tribute to the deceased, then places the wreath on the coffin. If he is a military member, he then salutes the casket; if a civilian, he stands momentarily with bowed head in reverent respect. Especially noteworthy was the beautiful floral wreath in the shape of an airplane propellor presented by Lt. Qualey for Benjamin's comrades in the air forces.
Pastor Grauel, Catholic priest from Malmo, performed the ceremony. You would have been proud of Benjamin and his achievements had you heard the many stirring tributes paid him by the Swedish people. Although thousands of miles distant from our homeland, they are still sympathetic and were anxious to share your grief.
When the services were concluded at the amphitheater, the caskets were placed on horse-drawn caissons and proceeded to the special plot of the cemetery reserved for Americans. A special color guard of interned American airmen followed the caissons and before interment, removed the American flag from each coffin and cared for it in
FIND A GRAVE Memorial ID # 56060727
∼KANKAKEE REPUBLICAN NEWS - KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1945
Death of Lt. Christensen Is Described
Family Also Learns About Military Burial In Sweden
Mrs. Doris Christensen of 343 South Rosewood Avenue has received a group of pictures and newspaper articles from the Legation of the United States of America, Office of the Military Air Attache in Stockholm, Swede concerning the death and burial of her husband, Second Lt. Benjamin E. Christensen, son of Mrs. Louise Christensen of 494 West Mulberry Street.
The letter Mrs. Christensen received from Lt. Col. Felix M. Hardison, Military Air Attache in Stockholm, reads in part:
"As a result of a tremendous air battle over Germany, Lt. Peterson's ship sustained battle damage so great that it was impossible for him to take the ship back to his base. A Course was taken to this country. Because of the damage sustained, however control was lost of the aircraft and a crash landing resulted. It was only due to the superior manner in which the crippled plane was handled that the crew was able to reach this country. As a result of the crash, Lt. Christensen was fatally injured and died soon after reaching the hospital.
Having been on active combat duty myself, and having seen many of my good friends go down, I understand your grief in this trying time. I wish I could have had the pleasure of meeting and knowing Benjamin. From the reports of his fellow crew members, he was one of America's best. It is men like Lt. Christensen, giving all they have, that will bring this war to a more rapid close and enable our country to emerge victorious."
Services are Held
The description of the burial services follows:
"The amphitheater in Malmö East Cemetery at Malmö, Sweden provided a fitting setting for the solemn occasion when services were held for Benjamin and ten other heroic airmen.
The Swedish and American military and state department authorities, with cooperation from local citizens, arranged the service. It was conducted according to Swedish military custom.
The Swedish custom of placing wreaths on the caskets during the services is impressive. A representative of the organization giving the wreath expresses a few words of tribute to the deceased, then places the wreath on the coffin. If he is a military member, he then salutes the casket; if a civilian, he stands momentarily with bowed head in reverent respect. Especially noteworthy was the beautiful floral wreath in the shape of an airplane propellor presented by Lt. Qualey for Benjamin's comrades in the air forces.
Pastor Grauel, Catholic priest from Malmo, performed the ceremony. You would have been proud of Benjamin and his achievements had you heard the many stirring tributes paid him by the Swedish people. Although thousands of miles distant from our homeland, they are still sympathetic and were anxious to share your grief.
When the services were concluded at the amphitheater, the caskets were placed on horse-drawn caissons and proceeded to the special plot of the cemetery reserved for Americans. A special color guard of interned American airmen followed the caissons and before interment, removed the American flag from each coffin and cared for it in
FIND A GRAVE Memorial ID # 56060727
