Christopher Henry Zeimantz (1 November 1917 in Reardan, Washington - 22 December 1992 in Los Angeles, California) was a United States Navy Reserve officer who was awarded the Navy Cross for heroic actions in World War II.
Early life[]
Chris was born in Reardan, Washington on November 1, 1917 to Martin and Goldia Zeimantz.
Military Service[]
He joined the Navy Reserve from Hollywood, California on July 6, 1942 and served in the Pacific as a member of Torpedo Squadron 21 (VT-21) on board the U.S.S. Belleau Wood (CVL-24). He was awarded the Navy Cross for heroic actions during the war. He left military service in September of 1969 after serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
Personal life[]
He married Shirley M. Fife. They were together his death.
Death[]
He died on December 22, 1992 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 75. He was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Awards and decorations[]
- Navy Cross on 22 December 1944 as Ensign in Torpedo Squadron 21 (VT-21), U.S.S. Belleau Wood
[]
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Christopher Zeimantz (NSN: 0-298990), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VT-21), attached to the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), in operations against the enemy while participating in aerial flights. On 19 October 1944, Ensign Zeimantz participated in a torpedo attack against enemy shipping in the vicinity of the Central Philippines, which scored direct hits and left a large tanker sinking, probably sank a large cargo ship, and inflicted damage on two medium cargo ships. His own torpedo dropped at low altitude and close range and radical evasive maneuvers in retirement prevented an accurate estimate on results. On 25 October 1944, he participated in a bombing attack against an enemy carrier Task Group in the vicinity of the Philippine Sea, and scored a direct hit on an enemy aircraft carrier. This attack was pressed home with skill and determination despite the fact that it was executed in the face of severe anti-aircraft fire. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
References[]
- https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/27406
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85554682/christopher-henry-zeimantz
- https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/33983/Zeimantz-Christopher.htm
- https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K82Z-T5F
- https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGPR-79K
- https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHNS-8TY
- https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gl=allgs&gsfn=Christopher+H.&gsln=Zeimantz&msbdy=1917&msddy=1992&new=1&rank=1&redir=false
The original article can be found at Christopher Zeimantz and the edit history here.