Medal of Honor: Dale Eldon Christensen: – World War II, July 19, 1944

Name: Dale Eldon Christensen
Rank and Organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Troop E, 112th Cavalry Regiment
Place and Date: Driniumor River, New Guinea, 16–19 July 1944
Entered Service At: Gray, Iowa
Born: Cameron Township, Iowa
General Orders: G.O. No. 36, 10 May 1945

Summary of Action:
In the tangled jungle along New Guinea’s Driniumor River, Second Lieutenant Dale Christensen led from the front through four days of unrelenting combat. On July 16th, his platoon was pinned by a deadly Japanese machine gun position. Without hesitation, he ordered his men to stay under cover and crept forward alone under a hail of fire—destroying the gun at just 15 yards with hand grenades. Three days later, again faced with murderous fire from entrenched enemy mortars and machine guns, Christensen once more advanced alone, even after enemy fire struck his rifle from his hands. He pinpointed five enemy positions, silenced one, and returned to lead his men in a fierce assault that drove the Japanese from the battlefield—capturing or destroying ten machine guns and four mortars. Just weeks later, on August 4th, he was killed only yards from his objective while leading yet another charge. He had become the embodiment of courage—always out front, always defiant, and always thinking of his men first.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty along the Driniumor River, New Guinea, from 16–19 July 1944. Second Lieutenant Christensen repeatedly distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in the continuous heavy fighting which occurred in this area from 16–19 July. On 16 July, his platoon engaged in a savage firefight in which much damage was caused by one enemy machine gun effectively placed. Second Lieutenant Christensen ordered his men to remain under cover, crept forward under fire, and at a range of 15 yards put the gun out of action with hand grenades. Again, on 19 July, while attacking an enemy position strong in mortars and machine guns, his platoon was pinned to the ground by intense fire. Ordering his men to remain under cover, he crept forward alone to locate definitely the enemy automatic weapons and the best direction from which to attack. Although his rifle was struck by enemy fire and knocked from his hands, he continued his reconnaissance, located five enemy machine guns, destroyed one with hand grenades, and rejoined his platoon. He then led his men to the point selected for launching the attack and, calling encouragement, led the charge. This assault was successful, and the enemy was driven from the positions with a loss of four mortars and ten machine guns, leaving many dead on the field. On 4 August 1944, near Afua, Dutch New Guinea, Second Lieutenant Christensen was killed in action about two yards from his objective while leading his platoon in an attack on an enemy machine gun position. Second Lieutenant Christensen’s leadership, intrepidity, and repeatedly demonstrated gallantry in action at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, exemplify the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.