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TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |
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Born: May 31, 1920 at
Cameron Township, IA
Entered Service in the US
Army from Gray, IA
Earned
The Medal of Honor During World War II For heroism July 16 -
19, 1944 at Driniumor River, New Guinea
Died: August
04, 1944 at the age of 24
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On 16 July,
Second Lieutenant Christensen's platoon engaged in a savage fire
fight in which much damage was caused by a well placed enemy
machinegun. Christensen ordered his men to remain under cover
while he crept forward alone and, at a range of 15 yards,
destroyed it with hand grenades. Three days later, while
attacking an enemy position strong in mortars and machineguns,
his platoon was again pinned to the ground by intense fire.
Ordering his men to remain under cover, he crept forward to
locate the enemy automatic weapons and plan hi attack. His rifle
was struck by enemy fire and knocked from his hands but he
continued his reconnaissance, locating 5 enemy machineguns and
destroying one with hand grenades. He then lead his men to a
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 while 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 yet another
enemy machinegun position.
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