 Keith H. Christen – Private to Technician Fifth Grade.
Served with distinction in the Hq1 Communications Platoon from July 1944 to July 1945.
Keith performed an essential function as a low speed radio operator. He applied his skill in the battalion’s combat operations center and contributed significantly to its many successes. Keith served his country, supported a remarkable family and is highly respected in his community.
He is a distinguished member of the “Greatest of the Greatest Generation.”
Keith Christen says: “I was born January 21, 1921 in Morgantown, WV. On December 19, 1939, I enlisted in Company C, 201st Infantry Regiment of the West Virginia National Guard. The summer of 1940, I went to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin for maneuvers with Company G.
The 201st Infantry Regiment was federalized January 6, 1941 and was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. Six months later the regiment moved to Camp Murray, Washington, for a short stay.
On September 12, 1941, the 201st Infantry Regiment left Washington and went to Kodiak, Alaska.
I left the 201st Infantry Regiment during the summer of 1943 and went to Fort Lewis, Washington. A short time later I was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division at Camp White in Oregon. At the earliest opportunity, I volunteered for parachutist training.
I qualified as parachutist on March 25, 1944. In June 1944, after a short furlough and many weeks in the replacement stream, I was assign-ed to Hq1 of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment [508th PIR] in Nottingham, England.
At the time, the regiment was fighting in Normandy but we replacements were welcomed by the 508th PIR rear detachment personnel.
On July 15, 1944, the 508th PIR Normandy survivors returned to Nottingham. After holding memorial services for the hundreds of casualties left in France, the reconstituted regiment started a vigorous training program in preparation for the next mission. We replacements were quickly integrated into units and fortunately bonded with the combat veterans.” | 
