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| PERSONALIA |
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| Name: |
Henderson, Gerald M. (Service number: 6 292 907) |
| Date of birth: | May 15th, 1919 (Pike County/Arkansas, United States)
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| Date of death: |
June 6th, 1944 (Omaha Beach near Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer/Calvados département, Basse-Normandy, France)
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| Nationality: |
American |
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BIOGRAPHY:
Gerald M. Henderson was born on May 16th, 1919 as the second son to Hugh Fred Henderson (1892 - 1964) and Ora Ethel (Pollard)Henderson (1896 - 1982). Gerald Henderson arrived in Europe (England) on August 1st, 1942 and participated in the landings in Northern Africa, Sicily and Normandy.
He was killed in action at Omaha Beach on June 6th, 1944.
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (DSC)
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Rank:
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Technical Sergeant
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Unit:
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Anti-Tank Company, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division "The Big Red One" U.S. Army
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Awarded on:
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December 8th, 1944
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Action:
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Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Anti-Tank Company, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in Normandy France, on D-Day. Technical Sergeant Henderson, while exposed to intense enemy artillery mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire, heroically supervised the unloading of men and vehicles from his landing craft. Observing that a vehicle from an adjoining craft had stalled, he voluntarily drove a truck along the fire swept beach, plunged in the water and fastened a cable to the disabled vehicle. After towing it safely to shore he personally carried two wounded occupants to covered positions and rendered first aid. He returned to the beach and amid bursting shells and devastating small arms fire, courageously continued his rescue work. While carrying a wounded solider across the beach to safety a shell landed near this valiant soldier fatally wounding him. His heroic achievements during the initial landing resulted in the saving of many lives and much vital equipment. The self sacrificing devotion to duty, personal bravery and valorous leadership displayed by Technical Sergeant Henderson exemplified the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army."
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Details:
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Awarded posthumously.
General Orders No. 92, Headquarters, First U.S. Army, (8 December 1944).
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PURPLE HEART
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Action:
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Awarded for a wound received in Nothern Africa.
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PURPLE HEART
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Action:
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Awarded for a wound received on Sicily.
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Details:
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Second Purple Heart received in the form of a bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Purple Heart.
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PURPLE HEART
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Action:
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Awarded for receiving a deadly wound at Omaha Beach.
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Details:
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Third Purple Heart awarded in the form of a second bronze oak leaf cluster to be placed on the ribbon of the first Purple Heart.
Awarded posthumously.
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