Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1944

For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.
On 6 September 1944, the Battalion to which Chaplain Henderson was assigned, was attacking the heavily fortified Fort Villey Le Sec near Toul, France. Heavy casualties were suffered and there were not sufficient medical personnel to evacuate all of the wounded immediately. Chaplain Henderson, upon hearing the many cries of the wounded for aid, with complete disregard for his own safety, crawled unhesitatingly onto the field of battle and made his way under fire to a disabled tank. He fearlessly mounted the tank, extricated the wounded man from within, and carried him 200 yards to the rear where he turned him over to a littler squad. He again went forward under fire and encountered a litter squad administering first aid to two injured men, the more seriously wounded of whom they evacuated. Realizing the need for immediate evacuation of the other man, Chaplain Henderson lifted him onto his back and started to the rear. When machine gun fire, directed against him from the fort, fell perilously near, he dropped to the ground and under continuous enemy machine gun and sniper fire dragged the wounded man the rest of the way. The unselfish, heroic actions of Chaplain Henderson; his inspiring courage and supreme devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States.

Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 96 (1944).