James N. Christianson served in the US Navy from 1943 until 1945. The letters he wrote to home during that period (there are over 100 letters) provide a detailed picture of life onboard a Destroyer-Escort during WWII. The letters cover the period from late 1943, when Jim was training for anti-submarine warfare in Miami, through to late 1945.

Commissioned in 1944, the U.S.S. Paul G. Baker performed escort jobs and rescue missions in 1944 and early 1945. In 1945, 80 days were spent in action in Okinawa.

Jim died on December 4, 2002 at his residence in Chelsea, Michigan. He was age 89. A writeup of his life is in the December 7, 2002 Detroit Free Press.

His daughter, Mary, is responsible for this compilation. She invites corrections and/or comment on this site via email.

1/1/2003

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