The YMCA distributed copies of the New Testament of the Bible to soldiers and sailors during World War I. This edition includes a letter from President Wilson, dated July 23, 1917. The owner of this New Testament stamped his name and a location on the same page: E.R. Stensrud, U.S. Naval Air Force, Eastleigh, England. 1918. The New Testament was one of several items in Seaman Edward Stensrud's "ditty box", including a postcard collection, address book, thimble, two matchboxes, and a victory medal.

Stensrud was only 20 years old when he enlisted in the Navy. He died in 1974, and he and his wife Anne are both buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.