ROY WILLARD CHRISTOPHER -PURPLE HEART RECIPIANT

Roy Willard was born August 10, 1910 in Medina, North Dakota  He was the 3rd child of 11 children born to Inga Lydia Olsen and Carl Christopher.  He attended elementary school and High School all. four years there.  His father often wrote about him in the columns of the Peterson Township section of the Medina Citizen Newspaper:

Those who received 100 per cent       .

in spelling last week were:

Nellie Peterson, Frances Todd,
Elof Lundstedt, Malcolm Peter-
son, Caroline Gahl, Anna Gah l
Roy _ ,Christopher and James

Todd.~·           .'             .~ 

____________________________

 :~ Roy Christopher visited over\
in Kidderr county a few days

last week and while gone traded a;

 Remington shotgun for a Hop-' '
Ikins & Allen rifle, and seems to:

I be well pleased with the deal. I 

 Roy Christopher got home

from the Twin Cities On

last Thursday He also visited
in northern Minnesota while

gone, taking in some of the
famous summer resorts, such

as the Breezy Point, Lost Is-
land Lake and No Man's

[Land.___________. __ ~

; Roy Christopher and John
Peterson are employed with the
Bell Telephone Co.

 ________________________________ . __ ~

Roy was a member of the North Dakota National Guard while living in Medina. He worked for the Bell Telephone Company (1929). Roy enjoyed all outdoor activities especially hunting and fishing. He once made the remark that the Army liked farm boys as they were usually sharp shooters. 

Prior to joining the United States Army, Roy moved to California to work in the defense plants, returning to Montana when he was called to active duty. He was assigned to Troop E. 91 st Reconnaissance Squadron. He was a tank mechanic stationed in Italy. He advanced to the office of Staff Sergeant. Roy was killed at Pietranala, Mount Beni, Italy on Feb. 20, 1945 during World War II. 

He is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno,
California, the same place his brother, Vernon, was buried the previous year. 

The Purple Heart Award was issued to Roy posthumously honoring his sacrifice in defense of his country and was sent along with a letter to his father on April 20, 1945.. The letter read:           "My Dear Mr.Christopher:

The President has requested me in inform you that the Purple Heart 

has been awarded posthumously to your son, Staff Sergeant 

Roy W. Christopher, Cavalry, who sacrificed his life in defense of his

country.The medal, which you will receive shortly, is of slight

intrinsic value, but rich with the tradition for which Americans are 

so gallantly giving their lives. The Father of our country, whose 

profile and coat  of arms adorn the medal, speaks from it across 

the centuries to the men who fight today for the proud freedom he

founded. Nothing the War Department can do or say will in any

sense repair the loss of your loved one. He has gone, however, in

honor and in the goodly company of patriots. Let me, in 

communicating to you the country's deep sympathy, 

also express to you its gratitude for his valor and devotion."

His brother, Ken visited the graves of his two brothers at the 

Golden Gate Cemetery and played his harmonica for them. 

On the map of the cemetery, Ken wrote the following sentiment 

noting the day he visited.

Thanks to Ken and his grandaughter Heather Stiles for sharing

 these articles with us.