Military Service

When the United States entered World War II, Don Jensen answered the call to serve. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and became a machine gunner with the legendary 2nd Marine Division, one of the most battle-tested units in the Pacific Theater.

Between 1942 and 1945, Don fought in some of the fiercest campaigns of the war, including Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. These battles helped change the course of history, but they came at an unimaginable human cost.

This section honors not only the battles he fought overseas, but also the courage it took to live the rest of his life. Here you’ll find photographs, military records, historical context, and the remarkable research that has helped preserve his story for future generations.