Jack C. Carstens

1939 LHS Football Squad

These January 7, 1943, Lowell Tribune articles were found on page 2, column 1:

Bernard Nichols, Jr.

Forrest Collins

Robert Berg

* * * * *

After several weeks of training, during which he will learn to conduct himself in the traditional style of a man-o-war, he will be graduated and proceed to either a navy service school, where he will be instructed in a specialized field, or join the U.S. fleet at sea.

This March 11, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:

Pvt. Jack C. Carstens, who is stationed in the army at Fredericksburg, Va., was home on a four-day leave visiting his mother and brothers and sisters. Jack says the army isn't so bad, but he prefers good old Lowell.

The following May 6, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:

Pvt. Jack Carstens, who is stationed with the infantry at Ft. Benning, Ga., is now studying the operation of all weapons used in this branch of the service, from the rifle to bazooka. Pvt. Carstens' infantry unit was chosen to go to Ft. Benning from Washington, D.C., as a demonstration unit for the Officers' Candidate school.

This January 6, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:

Pvt. Jack Carstens, stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga., spent a four-day furlough here last week with his mother, Mrs. Sadie Carstens, and his sisters.

Mrs. Carstens' other son, Donald F 1/c, who is now stationed in Rhode Island, is expected home in a few days on a short leave. This will be his first leave from duty except for short passes, since joining the navy.

This January 27, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:

Jack Carstens, son of Mrs. Ed Carstens, stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga., had one of his better days last Wednesday. In addition to receiving a promotion from Private to Pfc., he also was awarded a year's good conduct medal and a medal for marksmanship with a rifle.

This February 24, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 3:

Word received from Pfc. Jack Carstens states that he and several other boys stationed with him who used to live near the lake, enjoy reading the news from home in The Lowell Tribune. Jack also says that "Although they say Georgia is part of the sunny south, it sure gets plenty cool down here." Jack's address also can be obtained at this office.

The following May 11, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 3:

Pfc. Jack Carstens, stationed at Fr. Benning, Ga., is home on furlough. He will return to camp Sunday.

The following article was found in the May 18, 1944, Lowell Tribune on page 3, column 1:

Returns to Camp

The following August 3, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 3, column 2:

Carstens Boys Write Mother

Pfc. Jack Carstens writes that he is now in France with the invasion forces and that his home for the present is "foxhole deluxe".

Don has been promoted to a Fireman 1/c in the navy, but he wants to know how he's going to spend that extra pay out in the ocean.

Both boys were well when they wrote.

The following Sept. 28, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1 column 6:

PFC. J. CARSTENS REPORTED KILLED IN ACTION SEPT. 5

Pfc. Carstens, who entered the service December 28, 1942, left for overseas last June 28th after being stationed at various camps in the U.S., and entered the battle for France the middle of July. Since that date he had seen almost continuous action with the U.S. 28th infantry in their drive toward Germany.

A brother, Donald, F1/c is serving with the U.S. Navy.

Jack, born and reared north of Lowell, attended grade school here and went to Lowell high three years.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his mother, two brothers, Harold of Lowell and Donald, F1/c stationed with the U.S. navy; four sisters, Mrs. Paul Nicholson of Manhattan, Ill.; Mrs. Gerald Gordon, Lowell, Mrs. Neil Swanson, Ypsilanti, Mich., and Miss Vivian, of Woodstock, Ill. A sister, Ruth, and his father preceded him in death in 1937 and 1941 respectively.

The following October 5, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5 column 4:

We are grateful to our many friends and neighbors for the kind words and letters of sympathy in our recent bereavement for our son and brother, Jack Carstens. Your thoughtfulness and kindness will never be forgotten. Mrs. Ed Cartens and family.

This June 24, 1948, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:

CASKETED REMAINS WILL ARRIVE HERE SOON

The casketed remains of Private First Class Jack C. Carstens, a World War II deceased member of the Army from Lowell being returned from overseas for final burial, will arrive within the next month accompanied by a uniformed U.S. Army Escort from the Chicago Distribution Center of the American Graves Registration Division.

The body of Pfc. Carstens was interred in the St. James temporary military cemetery in France, but has been returned to this country for final interment at the request of his mother, Sadie A. Carstens, of Lowell.

The following July 22, 1948, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 6:

FIRST VETERAN RETURNED FOR BURIAL

CASKETED REAMAINS OF PFC. JACK CARSTENS REACH HERE MONDAY

The casketed remains of Pfc. Jack Carstens, who gave his life for his country, in the Normandy Compaign on September 5, 1944, reached here last Monday, being sent from the graves registration service in Chicago.

The remains were accompanied by Cpl. Paul Middlebrook.

Jack enlisted in the service of his country December 28, 1942, and after completing his training was at different camps in this country until June 28, 1944, when he was sent overseas. A member of the 28th infantry, he entered the Normandy Campaign with his regiment in the middle of July, 1944, and saw almost continuous action until he was killed.

Born and reared north of Lowell, he attended Lowell grade school and attended Lowell high school for three years before his enlistment.

He leaves his mother, Mrs. Sadie Carstens; two brothers--Harold and Donald; four sisters--Mrs. Paul Nicholson, Mrs. Gerald Gordon, Mrs. Neil Swanson and Mrs. George Norlock. One sister, Ruth, and his father preceded him in death in 1937 and 1941.

E.L. Worley

Last updated on October18, 2004.

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