Alvin H. Henderson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Alvin H. Henderson (38271077), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 17 September 1944, in Nijmegen, Holland. Staff Sergeant Henderson was platoon sergeant of the 2d Platoon, Company A, 508th Parachute Infantry, and while on patrol in the city of Nijmegen killed two Germans in hand-to-hand fighting and bayoneted four others. He led his patrol in the accomplishment of three separate missions during the attack by his battalion, during which time he personally destroyed four enemy machine gun positions and assisted in the capture of six prisoners. When the point of the battalion advance became pinned down by enemy machine gun fire in the city of Nijmegen, Staff Sergeant Henderson led a squad from the advance guard and pushed forward, destroying the enemy position. He attacked a circular plaza to his front and cleared it of enemy. Later, at the bridge, he personally destroyed two machine gun positions and caused the crew of the third to withdraw. During this attack he was killed by enemy fire. The gallant and courageous actions of Staff Sergeant Henderson contributed greatly to the destruction of enemy resistance within the city and rendered a most vital and distinguished service in the accomplishment of the division mission. Staff Sergeant Henderson’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.