Donald Christensen was born on March 17, 1921, in Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan. He was the son of Olie Christensen and Alice A. Truman Christensen. He was married to Wanda Florine Varns Howe. He served in the 601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator of B-17 #42-107132 during World War II.

On May 24, 1944, during a bombing mission targeting Berlin, Germany, the aircraft was shot down by enemy aircraft. The aircraft crashed near Biesenthal, approximately nine miles southwest of Eberswalde, Germany. Seven crew members were killed in action, while three survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

TSgt Christensen was among those who lost their lives in the crash and is now buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan, USA. Donald Christensen's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 21, in the top right wing (section B).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.findagrave.com, www.398th.org