Gerald M. Henderson
Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Technical Sergeant Gerald M. Henderson was serving with the Anti-Tank Company, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, First U.S. Army.

On that day, TSGT Henderson’s unit was in action against German forces while landing on Omaha Beach at Normandy, France. TSGT Henderson, under intense German artillery mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire, supervised the unloading of men and vehicles from his landing craft. Seeing that a vehicle from an adjoining craft had stalled, he drove a truck along the fire-swept beach, plunged in the water and fastened a cable to the disabled vehicle. After towing it safely to shore, he carried 2 wounded occupants to covered positions and rendered first aid. Returning to the beach amid bursting shells and devastating small arms fire, TSGT Henderson’ continued his rescue work. While carrying a wounded solider to safety across the beach, a shell landed near TSGT Henderson, fatally wounding him. His heroic achievements during the initial landing resulted in the saving of many lives and much vital equipment. TSGT Henderson’s selfless, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Croix de Guerre with Palm (France) 2 Awards
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Gerald M. Henderson (ASN: 6292907), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Anti-Tank Company, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in Normandy France, on D-Day. Technical Sergeant Henderson, while exposed to intense enemy artillery mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire, heroically supervised the unloading of men and vehicles from his landing craft. Observing that a vehicle from an adjoining craft had stalled, he voluntarily drove a truck along the fire swept beach, plunged in the water and fastened a cable to the disabled vehicle. After towing it safely to shore he personally carried two wounded occupants to covered positions and rendered first aid. He returned to the beach and amid bursting shells and devastating small arms fire, courageously continued his rescue work. While carrying a wounded solider across the beach to safety a shell landed near this valiant soldier fatally wounding him. His heroic achievements during the initial landing resulted in the saving of many lives and much vital equipment. The self sacrificing devotion to duty, personal bravery and valorous leadership displayed by Technical Sergeant Henderson exemplified the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 92 (December 8, 1944)

Burial

Technical Sergeant Gerald M. Henderson is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery in Texarkana, Bowie County, TX, in Section C, Lot 183, Space 3.

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