Stanley R Christianson
Stanley was born on the 24th of January, 1925, in Mindoro, Wisconsin, where he would work on a farm before enlisting in the US Marine Corps at the age of seventeen on the 2nd of October, 1942. After recruit training in San Diego, he was with the 2nd Marine Division for advanced training before deploying to Japan during World War 2. Stanley was discharged in December of 1945 and he reenlisted three months later and became a drill instructor at Parris Island, as well as serving at the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, the Naval Ammunition Depot in Nebraska, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Stanley deployed to Korea with the 1st Marine Division in August of 1950 and it was his actions during the UN counteroffensive that would earn him the Medal of Honor posthumously. The citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Hill 132, Seoul, Korea, in the early morning hours of September 29, 1950. Manning one of the several listening posts covering approaches to the platoon area when the enemy commenced the attack, Private First Class Christianson quickly sent another Marine to alert the rest of the platoon. Without orders, he remained in his position and, with full knowledge that he would have slight chance of escape, fired relentlessly at oncoming hostile troops attacking furiously with rifles, automatic weapons and incendiary grenades. Accounting for seven enemy dead in the immediate vicinity before his position was overrun and he himself fatally struck down, Private First Class Christianson, by his superb courage, valiant fighting spirit and devotion to duty, was responsible for allowing the rest of the platoon time to man positions, build up a stronger defense on that flank and repel the attack with 41 of the enemy destroyed, and many more wounded and three taken prisoner. His self-sacrificing actions in the face of overwhelming odds sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Private First Class Christianson gallantly gave his life for his country.
The following year, the Secretary of the Navy presented Stanley's parents his Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House on the 30th of August, 1951. Stanley had also earned a Bronze Star less than two weeks prior during the Inchon Landing and was also promoted to Corporal posthumously. Stanley Reuben Christianson is buried in the Christianson family plot in Mindoro, Wisconsin: block 1, lot 3, site 7.
