Thomas Powers Christensen, “Sarge”, Gunnery Sergeant USMC, Retired, was born on November 25, 1924 in Tacoma. Thomas dropped out of Wenatchee High School in the spring of 1942 to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1943 he was awarded the Navy Cross, second in importance to the Medal of Honor, for Conspicuous Gallantry above and beyond the call of duty for action on Bougainville Island in the Solomon Islands. He was also awarded his first Purple Heart Medal for wounds there. Thomas was a member of the 3rd Marine Division. Later he served in the Marianas and at Iwo Jima. After WW2 he entered then Eastern Washington College of Education, now Eastern Washington University, hoping to become a coach to school children. Married then, he and wife Rose lived in Trailerville on the Cheney campus. He had enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and was a drilling reservist while in College. While attending summer classes in 1950 he was ordered to active duty in late July along with his unit in Spokane for service arising from the North Korean invasion of South Korea on June 25. His unit joined the 7th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division and in September became part of the Inchon invasion, later capturing the airfields near Soeul and Yong dong po, as well as Soeul City. The Division was moved to the east coast of Korea and moved inland to the Yudam-ni area where it became nearly encircled by units of Chinese Communist Army Divisions in the now infamous Chosin Reservoir operation and the “advance to the sea” for evacuation by ship. After release from active duty he remained in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and worked for a short time in Wenatchee before requesting orders to active duty, restarting what became his 33 year career in the Service. When the Vietnam War escalated in 1965 the 1st Marine Division was transferred there. Tom was involved in 3 deployments during the U.S. involvement there. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal twice, for Gallantry in Action, and an additional 4 Purple Heart Medals. Later he became a Drill Instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego before moving to Pasco where he lived while serving as a Recruiter for several years until retirement. Tom didn’t stay inactive long and worked in the Hanford Area in Security for several years before becoming a full time Bailiff for the late Superior Court Judge Robert S. Day, where he served until the Judge retired. In recent years he lost both legs below the knee to amputation due to health problems and became a full time resident of Avalon residence home in Pasco. He is survived by three daughters; Lisa Long of Algona, Susan Jacob of Wenatchee and Robin Christensen of Renton. Tom had many friends who cared deeply for him.