John Saabye Christiansen (“Jack”), age 84 of Coupeville, passed away on April 30, 2008. Jack was born in London on June 8, 1923 to an American mother and a Swedish father. After a childhood in Sweden, the family moved to the United States and he was raised in New York State and Florida. Jack quit high school at age 17 in January of 1941 to join the Navy, believing the recruiter who told him the Navy would teach him to be a pilot. He was assigned to loading ammunition ships in Labrador and regretting his decision when Pearl Harbor was attacked and the Navy did, indeed, need pilots. He was selected for flight training as an enlisted pilot.
Jack said there was nothing greater in life than being a fighter pilot. He was commissioned as an ensign and assigned to carrier duty in the Pacific. He took part in many air battles, including the Marianas Turkey Shoot. He participated in an attack that sank a Japanese battleship in Tokyo Bay and was awarded the Navy Cross, the Navy’s highest honor, when he was just 21 years old.
When the war was over, he took advantage of the GI bill and went to college. He was into his second year before they realized he had never graduated from high school, so he had to get his GED before they would let him continue. He attended Florida Southern University and obtained a law degree from Stetson University. He became an American citizen in 1949. After practicing law for two months and hating it, he was thrilled when his reserve unit was called up for Korea. He never looked back, staying in the Navy until his retirement in 1975. There were many career highlights, including command of the USS Tappahanock; command of the aircraft carrier Constellation; and command of Carrier Division 7 during the Vietnam conflict. He was one of only two enlisted pilots to achieve the rank of Rear Admiral. After retirement from the Navy, Jack worked for Grumman Aerospace in New York, first as special assistant to the president, and then as vice president of field services.
Jack’s second greatest love – after flying – was boating, and he was a familiar figure at the Oak Harbor Marina. He owned four different trawlers during the various stages of his life. It was the glorious cruising that brought him to Whidbey Island 15 years ago. Jack was a member of the Oak Harbor Rotary, the Tailhook Association, and the Golden Eagles.
Jack leaves behind a devoted family: his wife Clare of Coupeville; his son Tom and daughter-in-law Mary; his daughter Tina and son-in-law James Cauthorn; his grandchildren Loni, Mary Anna, Jack, and Anna, all of Coronado, Calif.; and his brother Richard deOnativia of Atlanta, Ga. His zest for living, his love of country, and his great-than-life persona will be remembered by everyone who knew and loved him.
A memorial service will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel on Monday, May 5 at 3 p.m. He will be buried with military honors in Fort Rosecrans National Park Cemetery in Point Loma, Calif. Burley Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
