Carstensen, Pfc. Robert (d. 1954)

CARSTENSEN, HODGDEN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 8/24/2022 at 08:20:38

18 January 1954 - The Anamosa Journal

OXFORD JUNCTION - Mr. and Mrs. John Carstensen have been notified by the government defense department, that their son, Pfc. Robert L. Carstensen must now be presumed dead in Korea. Pfc. Carstensen had been listed as missing since January, 1951.

He enlisted in the U.S. army in 1949 and after being trained for a year at Camp Chaffee, Ark., was discharged February, 1950. He was called back into service that same year in September and sent to Ft. Sheriden, Ill., for a few weeks before being sent to Korea in October, where he served until January of the next year, when he was reported missing.

Pfc. Carstensen was born in Oxford Junction, where he attended school and was graduated from the high school in 1946. After helping his father on the farm he enlisted with a pal Wayne Lorenzen, son of the Carl Lorenzens, and both boys went through similar training and both were sent to Korea, where Lorenzen was killed in a motor vehicle accident. His body was sent home for burial.

Robert is survived by his parents and a brother, Charles, his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Tom Carstensen, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Chan Hodgden, all of Oxford Junction.

25 January 1954 - The Anamosa Journal

OXFORD JUNCTION - Memorial services for Pfc. Robert Carstensen, Oxford Junction, were held Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Methodist church here with Kenneth Harden, student pastor, officiating.

Aiding with the service was the Oxford Junction American Legion post.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Carstensen, the soldier had been missing in action in Korea for the past year and was recently listed as considered dead by the defense department.

Robert Rehmke, Legion commander, talked briefly and presented the soldier's mother with an American flag. Edward Hill, post chaplain, also spoke.

Color guard was comprised of veterans from each of the branches of the service. Included were Duane Christensen, Deane Cubbage, William Jones and Wayne Benhart.

Ushers were Paul and Leonard Lasack, Richard McClure, Edward Homan and Wayne Zaruba, all veterans of the Korean conflict. Howard Barto was sergeant-of-the-guard and L. L. McCreight blew taps.

A fund has been started in the community to provide a memorial for the casualty of the Korean war. More than $100 has been donated to date. This fund will be used to purchase something for the Oxford Junction Methodist church, possibly an organ.

Pfc. Carstensen enlisted in the army in 1949 and was discharged months later. He went to Korea in 1950, being recalled a few in October 1950.