John O. Henry

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John O. Henry (1043046), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein), FMF, in Korea, on 27 November 1950. Serving as leader of a machine gun section, Sergeant Henry displayed outstanding courage and initiative in the performance of his duties when the company was attacked during hours of darkness by a large enemy force. Exposing himself without regard for his personal safety to devastating enemy automatic weapons, hand grenade, and small arms fire, he fearlessly moved through the position during the vicious attack to encourage his men and direct their fires. When the enemy managed to reach to within a few yards of his guns, he courageously remained in exposed positions to beat them back, employing hand grenades and his rifle with telling effect. Throughout the night-long attack he refused to seek safety for himself, continuing steadfastly to direct the defense of his sector, and ultimately routing the enemy with heavy losses. His inspiring leadership and outstanding devotion to duty aided immeasurably in the successful defense of the strategic ground. Sergeant Henry’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.