Frederick Funston Henry (September 23, 1919 – September 1, 1950) was a United States Army officer and a posthumous recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Second Battle of Naktong Bulge in the Korean War.
Frederick Funston Henry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | September 23, 1919 Vian, Oklahoma |
| Died | September 1, 1950 (aged 30) Naktong Bulge, near Andong, Korea |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1950 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division |
| Battles / wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Bronze Star (2) Purple Heart (2) |
Biography
editHenry joined the Army from Clinton, Oklahoma in September 1940, a week before his 21st birthday.[1] By September 1, 1950, he was serving as a first lieutenant in Company F of the 38th Infantry Regiment. On that day, near Andong, Korea, his platoon was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Although seriously wounded, Henry ordered his men to withdraw while he stayed behind to cover their retreat. He single-handedly held the attackers at bay until being killed. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor five months later, on February 16, 1951.[2]
Henry's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
1st Lt. Henry, Company F, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. His platoon was holding a strategic ridge near the town when they were attacked by a superior enemy force, supported by heavy mortar and artillery fire. Seeing his platoon disorganized by this fanatical assault, he left his foxhole and moving along the line ordered his men to stay in place and keep firing. Encouraged by this heroic action the platoon reformed a defensive line and rained devastating fire on the enemy, checking its advance. Enemy fire had knocked out all communications and 1st Lt. Henry was unable to determine whether or not the main line of resistance was alerted to this heavy attack. On his own initiative, although severely wounded, he decided to hold his position as long as possible and ordered the wounded evacuated and their weapons and ammunition brought to him. Establishing a l-man defensive position, he ordered the platoon's withdrawal and despite his wound and with complete disregard for himself remained behind to cover the movement. When last seen he was single-handedly firing all available weapons so effectively that he caused an estimated 50 enemy casualties. His ammunition was soon expended and his position overrun, but this intrepid action saved the platoon and halted the enemy's advance until the main line of resistance was prepared to throw back the attack. 1st Lt. Henry's outstanding gallantry and noble self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty reflect the highest honor on him and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.[2]
Legacy
editIn May 1960, a U.S. Army facility in Daegu, South Korea, was renamed Camp Henry in his honor.[3]
On October 20, 2004, a large crowd came together at the Annabelle Farmer Park in downtown Vian. They had come together to pay respects to long-lost hometown hero and Medal of Honor recipient, 1st Lt. Frederick F. Henry.
"Nearly 100 people attended the ceremony at Annabelle Farmer Park, according to Vian Mayor Kenneth Johnson. Many were townspeople acting on an opportunity to honor the local man whose heroism in combat was long missing from their city’s history; some were state, military and local officials who felt it their duty to honor the Army lieutenant last seen defending his platoon from a fast-approaching wave of North Korean forces; and more than a dozen ventured into the Sequoyah County city as representatives of a relative taken in war, whose goodness survived through the lives he protected. Henry’s story is now a landmark. A memorial dedicated to Henry and his service in the Army was unveiled at theceremony, according to former Vian Mayor Robert Morris."[4]
See also
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References
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This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- ^ "WWII Army Enlistment Records".
- ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients – Korean War". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on March 10, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ^ "Camp Henry". GlobalSecurity.org. November 17, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ^ Duane A. Vachon, Ph.D. (18 November 2012). "Almost Forgotten Hero – First Lieutenant Frederick F. Henry, U.S. Army, WWII, Korean War, Medal of Honor (1919–1950)". Hawaii Reporter. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
External links
edit- "Frederick F. Henry". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
- "Frederick F. Henry". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved May 25, 2015.