In
Memory of U.S. Army Private First Class
Alvin Peter Christensen was born May 10, 1945, to Audley
and Clara (Delaney) Christensen on a farm in Spring Valley
Township, South Dakota. His siblings are Elizabeth, JoAnn,
and Joy. Until fifth grade, Alvin went to country school;
when the family moved, he started school in Viborg, South
Dakota. He was in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Prior to
starting his own carpentry business, Alvin worked on various
farms.
Alvin Christensen was drafted into the army on November
21, 1967, and was trained at Fort Lewis, Washington. Alvin
was a Private First Class, Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th
Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. He was sent overseas on May
4, 1968, after spending a couple weeks home with his family
on leave.
Private First Class Alvin Peter Christensen died in
Vietnam on June 18, 1968, “due to gunshot wounds received
during hostile ground action on the previous day.” Alvin was
23 when he died and had been in Vietnam just over a month.
His body was returned to the United States and he was buried
with military honors in the Spring Valley Baptist Cemetery,
on July 1, 1968.
He received a Bronze Star with a V and first Oak Leaf
Cluster, Purple Heart, Army Commendation medal, Good Conduct
medal, National Defense Service medal, Vietnam Service
medal, Vietnam Campaign ribbon, Combat Infantry badge,
Sharpshooter’s badge with rifle bar and Marksman’s badge
with machine gun bar.
At the time of his death he was survived by his parents,
Audley and Clara Christensen, and his sisters, Elizabeth,
JoAnn, and Joy.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Nate Bayne, 8th
Grade, Spearfish Middle School, October 4, 2005. Information
for this entry was provided by the Viborg Enterprise, June
17, 1968, July 4, 1968, November 1, 1968 issues and a
Vietnam Veterans bonus application. Profile approval by
Elizabeth Tirrell.
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