Tortsen E. Henderson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Tortsen E. Henderson, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company H, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 20 April 1945, in the vicinity of Nuremburg, Germany. At 0400 hours, during the battle for Nuremberg, Germany, Private Henderson braved the fury of a German counterattack by a reinforced company armed with Panzerfausts and automatic weapons. Firing his machine gun from an open doorway, he killed Germans at thirty yards. Then seizing a M-1 rifle he manned an exposed window position for over an hour, ignoring withering automatic fire and the crash of rockets against the house wall. Killing six and wounding six Germans, this intrepid soldier beat off wave after wave of counterattack and saved his platoon from destruction. Private 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 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.