Gene Dallas Jensen

Gene D. Jensen, of Woodside, DE, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at the Milford Hospice Center, he was 95.  Gene was born to Chris C. Jensen and Margaret Ann Kandler on November 18, 1923, on their farm near a country outpost called Buffalo, Nebraska, where the only thing left is the local cemetery and a school house.

In 1933, his folks moved into a small village called Cozad in Nebraska.  He remained in Cozad until 1942 when he graduated from Cozad High School and shortly after went into the Army Air Corp.  It was the start of an interesting career.  After training he was sent to England and was assigned to 191st BG B24 - the same outfit Major Jimmy Stewart was in.  The two ran into each other coming around the corner and almost knocked each other to the ground.  Sgt. Jensen stepped back, saluted and said, "Sorry Sir, my fault."  Major Stewart replied, "No one's fault, Sergeant, carry one."  He was also acquainted with Billy Conn, light heavy weight champion of the World.  His next assignment was to the 487th BG B17 at Bury St. Edmons.  While in Bury St. Edmons, he met and married Mary Shepley from Stayleybridge, England.  It was Mary who taught Sgt. Jensen to do ball room dancing.

When the war (WWII) was over, he volunteered for Army of Occupation, Europe.  Sgt. Jensen was on his way to Czechoslovakia to help people in Hitler's death camps.  On his way up, he witnessed the accident that General George Patton was in with a Duce and a Half.  Sgt. Jensen ran over to the car but could be of no help.  Patton died a month later.  At Munich, Germany, Sgt. Jensen continued on in a 40 & * to the death camps.  he was there only two weeks and had to leave because the Russians were coming down and the USA wanted no confrontation with them.  Sgt. Jensen was put on the 40 & 8 again and went home after 3.5 years.  He left LaHavre on a Liberty ship named Ernie Pyle.

Sgt. Jensen continued his military career from WWII and was in three more conflicts, Korea, Vietnam, Belgian Congo and also a coup in Libya.  Sgt. Jensen was issued a blood chit for flying over Korea.  The chit is now hanging in the Cozad Museum in Cozad, Nebraska.  He was in all the continents but two and in 58 countries. 

He was a mechanic for Wells Ford Garage for three years in Cozad and had his own floor covering business as well.  He went into the lumber business in Azalea, Oregon for four years.  Sgt. Jensen was a life time member of the VFW, DAV, and American Legion.  He participated in the Senior Olympics and earned Seventeen Medals.

Sgt. Jensen will make one more trip to return to Cozad, Nebraska to be buried alongside his wife Mary. 

Local arrangements are by the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, 15522 South DuPont Hwy., Harrington, DE 19952.  Cozad, NE arrangements are in the care of the Berryman Funeral Home, 620 E 22nd St, Cozad, NE 69130 .

When I quit this mortal shore

And mosey round this earth no more

Don’t weep, don’t sigh, don’t grieve, don’t sob

I may have struck a better job

Don’t go and buy a large bouquet

For which you’ll find hard to pay

Don’t stand around me looking blue,

I may be better off than you!

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