WWII Officers Guide named to 1st Lt. Harry E. Kristiansen

Harry E. Kristiansen (November 8, 1918), a native of Norway was the son of Kristian Konrad Kristiansen and Jenny Johannessen Kristiansen. The family moved to the US in 1925 and during WW2 Harry Kristiansen returned to Europe to serve as Lieutenant with the 10th Mountain & 4th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Bronze Star and two Purple Heart Medals. After his return in 1946 he graduated at Cortland State Teacher's College and got an M.A. at Columbia University. In 1949 he joined the Education Department at Potsdam State University College where he would stay for the remainder of his academic career. In 1960 Professor Kristiansen received his certificate to practice Psychology and when in 1961 Potsdam University first opened a Psychology Department he became the first Chairman.

Harry E. Kristiansen (THE RACQUETTE, November 11, 1949)

James H. Bough (left), former district chairman, passes the symbol, a small statue of a scout, of the district chairman, to Dr. H.E. Kristiansen, the new district chairman. (MESSENA OBSERVER, May 12, 1964)

Lt. Kristiansen died age 70 on June 20, 1989 as a resident of Potsdam, NY. He was then survived by his wife Professor Elsie Kristiansen, his daughter and son and two grandchildren. His first wife Evelyn Kristiansen had died in 1957, age 36.

All three are buried at the Bayside Cemetery, Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, New York.

If somebody has some more information on Harry E. Kristiansen, please don't hesitate to contact me!!

Sources:
The Racquette Newspaper - published by Potsdam University College, following editions:
Vol. XXIII no. 1 - Vol. XXIII no. 4 - Vol. XXVIII no. 22 - April 8, 1960 - January 13, 1961
The Courier Freeman Newspaper - January 2, 1958
The Ogdensburg Journal - June 22, 1989
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