Donald Edwin Carstens
Don Carstens In Navy
Pvt. Don Carstens, who is in training at Farragut, Idaho, writes home folks:- "My program in the navy goes something like this -- I'm up at 5 a.m. to scrub barracks, then eat at 8 o'clock. We fall out for chores, then drills out in the snow until 12 noon, eat at 12:30 p.m., then the Commando course in the afternoon. At 6:30 p.m., we eat again -- and the food is great. I've gained 15 pounds.
"Navy life is swell, and though it is not as good as being at home, I like it."
This March 11, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- Mrs. Ed Carstens received a picture from her son, Donald E. Carstens, who has been stationed at Farragut, Idaho, since Dec. 8, of his graduation class of 114 apprentice seamen. Donald has been taking his basic training there and graduated last Friday with the rating of Seaman 2nd class. He had a choice of going to sea or to school and chose the latter, where he will take up the study of machinist 3rd class. He will remain at Farragut for a few more weeks and then will be sent to another school for 4 to 6 months. Donald still thinks Lowell is the best place and wishes to say 'hello' to all his friends.
The following April 15, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 4:
Attending Machinist's Mate School
Minneapolis, Minn., April 7 -- Donald Edwin Carstens, 18, son of Mrs. Edwin Carstens, Lowell, is learning how the huge engines which propel America's powerful warships operate at the navy's school for machinists' mates on the campus of the University of Minnesota.He will be stationed here for 16 weeks during which time he will be instructed in the operation and repair of main and auxiliary engines on board ship, along with details of a ship's drainage systems, distilling plants, internal combustion engines, evaporators, and pumps.
Selected to attend the school upon the basis of a series of aptitude tests taken during recruit training, he may be promoted to a petty officer rating upon graduation. He will then be assigned to duty with the fleet or at a shore station.
This May 6, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- Donald E. Carstens, who is taking a 16-weeks course as machinists' mate at the University of Minnesota, was home over the weekend visiting his mother, Mrs. Ed Carstens, sisters and brothers.
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 13, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
- Don Carstens, S 2/c, son of Mrs. Sadie Carstens, is home on a 10-day leave. Don is now serving in the Atlantic on a destroyer escort and recently completed his second trip to Africa.
This January 27, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
- Don Carstens, F 2/c, returned to Brooklyn Naval Base last Wednesday after spending a few days here with his mother, Mrs. Ed Carstens, and family. Don is very enthusuastic over his life as a sailor, especially enjoying himself in the various ports where his ship puts in during voyages.
This March 23, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- Mrs. Sadie Carstens has received a V-mail letter, the first in over a month, from her son, Donald Carstens, F 2/c, who is "somewhere on the Atlantic" aboard ship. Don says he is in fine health, but not much to see except ocean.
This May 4, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- Mrs. Sadie Carstens received a letter this week from her son, F 2/c Donald Carstens, stating that he is a patient in a hospital somewhere in South America, following an operation. Don said he was improving nicely and would soon be able to go aboard ship again.
The following May 11, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 3:
- Fireman 1/c Donald Castens underwent an operation recently. Donald is in North Africa
The following August 3, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 3, column 2:
Carstens Boys Write Mother
Mrs. Sadie Carstens has received letters the past week from her two sons in the service.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 October 19, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 4 column 3:
Home On 13-Day Leave
Donald Carstens, F 1/c, who has been on patrol duty in the south Atlantic the past six months, arrived home last week-end for a visit with his mother, Mrs. Sadie Carstens, and family. Don has made several crossings of the Atlantic and has been in many ports of the world in the last few months.This Lowell Tribune article was found in the November 15, 1945, issue (page 2, column 1):
- Donald Carstens, Mo. MM 3/c, who phoned his mother, Mrs. Sadie Carstens from Treasure Island, Calif., last Friday, informed her that he would be home some time this week on leave. Don spent two years with the U.S. navy in the Atlantic, and six months in the Pacific during the closing months of the war.
This December 6, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 4:
- Don Carstens, F 2/c, arrived home last week after doing his bit in the navy. He was discharged at Great Lakes.
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