Dale was born on the 31st of May 1920, in Cameron, Iowa, where he grew up the youngest of five children. He was 20 years old when he joined the US Army by the time he deployed to the southwest Pacific, he was a Second Lieutenant with Troop E, 112th Cavalry Regiment, and it was his actions during the Battle of Driniumor River that would later earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

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 one enemy machine gun 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 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, locating 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 10 machine guns and leaving many dead on the field. On 4 August 1944, near Afua, Duch New Guinea, 2d Lt. Christensen was killed in action about two yards from his objective while leading his platoon in an attack on an enemy machine-gun position. 2d Lt. Christenson'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.

Less than a month later, Dale was again leading his platoon against an enemy position, but this time was killed in action. His Medal of Honor was presented to his father on the 16th of May 1945, in a ceremony at the Fort Riley Cavalry School, and the Medal is currently located at the Audubon County Courthouse in Iowa. Dale Eldon Christensen was 24 years old when he died and he is buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines: plot A-12-200. There is also a cenotaph for him alongside his parents and two brothers in the Cameron Cemetery, in Audubon, Iowa.