When war broke out in Europe in 1939, the US began developing its defense strategy. In October of 1940, the US instituted a draft and called up the National Guard. They dedicated 45,000 troops to protect US coasts and harbors including field artillery units. This number increased to 70,000 stateside troops by the spring of 1942. However, by late 1942 some of these units began to be deployed abroad as the US engaged in active warfare in the European and Pacific theaters. Some Coast Artillery troops were reassigned to field artillery groups that were broken up into new battalions. The draw-down and transfer of troops and ammunitions began stateside, and it was completed by 1948.

Melvin Christensen eventually served with the US Army Coast Artillery Corps, Coast Artillery Battalion B, 166 A.A.A. Gun Battalion, Company B.

Melvin Robert Frei was born to Louise Frei on August 9, 1924 in Wisconsin. His mother married Thorwald Christensen in 1927.

From 1930 US Census, the Christensen family was living in Brooklyn Village in Green County. The household included father Thorwald, wife Louisa, and sons Jay C., Thorwald G. Jr., stepdaughter Bulah V. Frei and stepson Melvin R. Frei. Father Thorwald worked as common laborer for wages.

On the 1940 US Census, the Christensen family was living in the same house they were living at in 1935 in Brooklyn. The household included father Thorwald, wife Louise, and children Melvin, Jay, Thorwald Jr., Mary and Josephine. Father Thorwald was a laborer as a rock crusher for the WPA, wife Louise did housework in private homes, and son Melvin worked as a farm laborer on a farm.

Melvin R. Christensen enlisted for military service in Milwaukee on December 9, 1942 as Private with the Coast Artillery Corps. He had 2 years of high school. His civilian occupation was foreman. He was single without dependents.

From the WWII Hospital Admission Card Files for Melvin R. Christensen, he was admitted in May of 1944. He served with the Coast Artillery, Anti-Aircraft Unit. He died from an injury while serving in the line of duty, however, it was a non-battle injury. He was struck by an automobile and had bladder, spine, and trunk wounds resulting in his death. He died in May of 1944.

From the June 8, 1944 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Brooklyn Boy Dies in Hollandia,” the article stated “Pvt. Melvin Christensen, 19, died May 26 at Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea, the war department informed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thorwald Christensen, Brooklyn.

The soldier, a member of the coast artillery, had been reported seriously ill earlier.

Pvt. Christensen enlisted in the army in December, 1942, and was stationed at Camp Cooke, Calif., before he was sent to the Pacific in September, 1943.

Survivors are his parents; three sisters, Mrs. Philip White, Madison, and Josephine and Mary, at home, and a brother, Thorwald, Jr., at home...”

From the June 9, 1944 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Christensen Memorial to Be Held Sunday,” the article stated “Memorial service for Pvt. Melvin R. Christensen, 19, Brooklyn, who died May 26 at Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea, will be held … at the Brooklyn cemetery near the grave of a younger brother, Jay…He was a member of the coast guard artillery.”

Private Christensen was repatriated and reburied at Mount Hope Cemetery in Brooklyn, Dane County in 1949.

Thank you, Private Melvin Robert Christensen, for your service and ultimate sacrifice to this country. We honor you and remember you.