Born in Lincoln, California, December 29, 1920 Graduated from the Lincoln High School, June 1938
Enrolled in the University of California, Davis, August 1938 Two Year Curriculum in Agriculture
Graduated in May 1941
Military Service
MILITARY HISTORY
490 385 USMC
Military Training
Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as Private, 18 November 1942, in San Francisco; was assigned to active duty same date and transferred to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego for basic training.
Completed Basic Training Program, 13 January 1943 and was transferred to the Reconnaissance Company, Fifth Amphibious Corps, Camp Elliot, San Diego for duty under instruction.
Promoted to Private, First Class, 10 August 1943. Promoted to Corporal, 1 January 1944.
Active Service Assignments
13 September 1943; departed from the continental United States shortly thereafter.
9 November 1943 to 2 December 1943; participated in action against the enemy forces in the Gilbert Islands.
21 January 1944 to 22 February 1944; fought with his group in the Marshall Islands.
In Service 1 year, 3 months, and 13 days.
Corporal Sanstad was killed in action on 22 February 1944, on the Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Decorations and Awards
BRONZE STAR MEDAL.*
PURPLE HEART.
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL.
WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL.
* CITATION ‘For heroic achievement while serving with the Headquarters Troops, Fifth Amphibious Corps, during action against the enemy forces on Eniwetok Atoll, February 22, 1944. After his senior officer had been wounded, Corporal Sandstad promptly organized and led a rescue party, effecting the evacuation of his comrade while under heavy enemy machine-gun fire from an adjacent island. Upon discovering the presence of hostile snipers in a nearby area… after his platoon had seized its objective against stiff resistance, Corporal Sanstad courageously led a small party which silenced the Japanese fire, but he was killed in this action. His fearless initiative and loyal devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his Country.’
For the President of the United States
(s) James Forestal
Secretary of the Navy.
INTERMENT: Manzanita Cemetery, Placer County, California.