John B. Christenbury

Hometown:

Charlotte, North Carolina

ECU Affiliation: Faculty

Branch of Service: Navy

Dates/Era of Service: 1943-1944

Places Served: Port Chicago, California

Brief Narrative

John B. Christenbury came to East Carolina in 1940 to serve as a coach and physical education instructor. He led the football team to their only undefeated season to date in 1941. After Pearl Harbor, Christenbury enlisted in the Navy and served as a munitions loading officer. He was killed in Port Chicago, CA when a ship exploded in the harbor on July 17, 1944. Christenbury Memorial gymnasium on the campus of East Carolina University is dedicated to his memory.