CPT Dale Reich was born in Atlanta, Georgia on July 8, 1944. He graduated from Grady High School in 1962, where he was captain of the football team. He attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, playing football all four years, and graduated in June 1966. Dale voluntarily entered the United States Army that summer, completing basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and the Officer's Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon receiving his commission, he was assigned to the 7th Special Forces at Fort Brag, North Carolina.

CPT Reich received orders for Vietnam and joined the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in May 1968. On May 27, 1968 while providing security for the right flank of an ambush operation, CPT Reich observed the point squad of a large North Vietnamese Army force stalking his unit's position. Realizing that the proximity of the rapidly approaching enemy force prevented enough time for a warning, CPT Reich leaped up and engaged the insurgents at point blank range, inflicting severe casualties. Although severely wounded himself, and in the face of intense rocket and machine gun fire, CPT Reich held his position and continued to fire into the advancing enemy main force, allowing the thirteen other Americans enough time to reorganize and shift positions to counter the surprise attack. CPT Reich fought tenaciously until mortally wounded, inspiring his fellow soldiers to smash the numerically superior enemy's advance and drive it back.

For his gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, CPT Reich was awarded the Silver Star. His courage and devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.