Clark LEE Henson, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Clark Lee Henson, Jr. (2063752), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company D, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 June 1968, Company D was participating in a battalion-size search and destroy operation southwest of Da Nang and was approaching a village near Phu Lac when the Marines suddenly came under intense machine gun and automatic rifle fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force. Almost immediately after the initial contact the third platoon commander and his radio operator were mortally wounded. Rapidly assessing the situation, Sergeant Henson unhesitatingly assumed command of the platoon and completely disregarding his own safety, repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire while consolidating his unit’s position. On two occasions, he fearlessly advanced into the fire-swept area to aid wounded Marines and move them to positions of relative safety. Continuing his determined efforts Sergeant Henson ensured that all of the casualties were evacuated and then boldly led his men in an aggressive assault that forced the enemy to flee and accounted for fifty-seven North Vietnamese soldiers killed. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Sergeant Henson contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.