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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, lowa. Birth: Cameron Township, lowa. G.O.
No.: 36, 10 May 1945. 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. 2d Lt. 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 fire fight in which
much damage was caused by 1 enemy machinegun effectively placed. 2d Lt.
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 machineguns, 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 5 enemy machineguns,
destroyed 1 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 4 mortars and 10 machineguns and leaving many
dead on the field. On 4 August 1944, near Afua, Dutch New Guinea, 2d Lt.
Christensen was killed in action about 2 yards from his objective while
leading his platoon in an attack on an enemy machinegun position. 2d Lt.
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.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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