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Archives at The Museum of Flight


Henry B. Christensen World War II Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 2008-09-04-A
The Henry B. Christensen World War II Collection is comprised of items primarily related to the World War II military service of United States Navy pilot Henry B. Christensen. The collection contains military records, personnel documents, a pilot's log book and a small amount of black-and-white photographs.

There are various identification cards and licenses, including a Naval Aviation Pilot license with a portrait of Christensen, several officer's mess cards, a ribbon authorization card, and identification cards for Naval Air Stations Pensacola (Florida), Alameda (California), and Bermuda.

Christensen's 1942-1948 pilot's log book is also included, containing information about the type of aircraft flown, flight duration, and passenger information. It also sometimes includes notations which may include mission or flight path information, such as "Alameda to San Diego" or "Wake patrol."

The collection has a significant number of military records, such as work assignments, reporting orders, and training notices, as well as personnel documents such as promotion recommendations and physical health examinations. Christensen's 1940-1946 Naval Reserve Service Record is also included.

Additionally, there are twelve (12) black-and-white snapshots, depicting military personnel in leisure activities, including relaxing in tents and at mess. The photographs include no identifying information. Two (2) images feature unidentified civilians and two (2) images feature shots of unidentified buildings.

Dates

  • 1940-1948

Creator

Language of Materials

All materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Extent

0.20 Cubic Feet (1 half-width letter size document box )

Biographical Note: Henry B. Christensen

Henry Billington Christensen was born September 27, 1909 in New London, Connecticut. Christensen entered the Navy in 1938 and trained as a pilot, mostly flying Consolidated PBY Catalinas. During World War II, Christensen served at Naval Station Treasure Island [San Francisco, California] and was sent overseas to Brazil and various locales in the South Pacific. He never lost a man or a plane from his squadron during the war, and retired from the Navy in 1946.

Christensen's wife, Marilyn (Jenkins) Christensen, also served in the Navy during World War II as part of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) program.

After retiring from the Navy, Christensen worked as a farmer. He died in 1990.

Source:

Biography derived from collection materials and donor information.

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Existence and Location of Copies

Materials from this collection have been digitized and are available at The Museum of Flight Digital Collections.

Separated Materials

The followings items have been separated from the archival component and are kept in Objects Storage:

  • Two (2) pairs flight goggles
  • United States Navy Air Medal
  • Air Medal ribbon
  • Air Medal pin
  • United States Navy belt buckle
  • United States Naval Reserve pin
  • United States Navy ensign bars
  • Two (2) United States Navy insignia
  • United States Navy honorable discharge pin
  • Two (2) United States Navy OC buttons
  • United States Navy white dress cap
  • Two (2) United States Navy insignia buttons
  • One (1) deck of playing cards in leather case
  • Title
    Guide to the Henry B. Christensen World War II Collection
    Status
    Completed - Level 4
    Author
    L. Zaborowski, J. Parent
    Date
    2015, 2023
    Description rules
    dacs
    Language of description
    English
    Edition statement
    3rd Edition

    Revision Statements

    • 2018: This finding aid has been revised to reflect updated DACS and Museum of Flight standards.
    • November 2018: Finding aid migrated to ArchivesSpace.
    • July 2020: Updated related agents.
    • June 2023: Deaccessioned two pocket Bibles.

    Repository Details

    Part of the The Museum of Flight Archives Repository

    Contact:
    9404 East Marginal Way South
    Seattle Washington 98108-4097
    206-764-7874


    The Museum of Flight | 9404 E. Marginal Way South | Seattle WA 98108-4097 | 206-764-5874
    Contact us with a research request
    curator@museumofflight.org