Dale Eldon Christensen
Dale Eldon Christensen (born May 31, 1920 in Cameron Township , Iowa , † August 4, 1944 near Afua, Dutch New Guinea ) was an American Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and recipient of the Medal of Honor , the highest United States military award.
Life
Christensen joined the US Army in October 1940. At the time of his deployment in New Guinea , he served as a second lieutenant in the 112th Cavalry Regiment of the US Army. On July 16, 1944, he single-handedly overpowered an enemy Japanese machine gun emplacement near the Driniumor River. 3 days later, his unit came under heavy Japanese defensive fire. He ordered his men to stay under cover and explored the enemy position alone, where he made out 5 machine guns. He destroyed one of them with his hand grenades . Subsequently, the platoon led by him was able to destroy all other machine guns and 10 mortars . He was fatally wounded on August 4 when he again led his soldiers in the attack. On May 10, 1945, Christensen was posthumously awarded the highest military award in the United States, the Medal of Honor, for his commitment, which went far beyond the fulfillment of military duties .
Christensen was laid to rest at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila , Philippines .
The American barracks on Bindlacher Berg , which existed until 1992, were named Christensen Barracks in his honor. A street is named after him in the settlement that emerged after the US Army withdrew.
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Christensen, Dale Eldon |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American lieutenant, Medal of Honor holder |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 31, 1920 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Cameron Township , Iowa |
| DATE OF DEATH | 4th August 1944 |
| Place of death | Dutch New Guinea |