Robert M. Henley

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Robert M. Henley (37068787), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 46th Armored Infantry Battalion, attached to the 5th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 November 1944, in Germany. In an advance against the enemy in the Hurtgen Forest, Staff Sergeant Henley’s platoon was suddenly fired upon by a well-concealed machine gun. Limited observation due to the dense woods made it extremely difficult to locate the hostile emplacement. Voluntarily and with great personal courage, he crossed a fire break and climbed a tree to a point twenty-five feet from the ground. From his hazardous post atop the tree, he located the position of the gun, descended and inched his way through the forest toward the emplacement. Across the open fire break less than twenty- five yards away was the hostile weapon. Heroically, he exposed himself, fired his submachine gun directly into the emplacement and killed three members of the crew and wounded two others. Staff Sergeant Henley’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Armored Division, and the United States Army.