Purple Hearts Reunited traveled to Seattle just before Veterans Day 2014 to honor 2LT Roy W. Christianson. Christianson joined the Army Air Corps in 1941 and piloted a B-17 named “Beats Me.” Christianson was part of the 360th Bombardment Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group. The plane was shot down during their fifth mission over Northwestern France, targeting a German submarine base, and Christianson was killed in action on 23 January, 1943.

His medals, lost after a death in the family, were returned to the Christianson family on 9 November, 2014. Christianson’s nephew, Don Goertzen, was with his wife Irma Goertzen for a private ceremony in their home with Purple Hearts Reunited founder Zachariah Fike.

Video from KOMO News in Seattle: watch now.

This medal return was generously sponsored by Pizzagalli Racing Engines.

Christianson