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HEADQUARTERS XVIII CORPS (AIRBORNE)
APO 109, United States Army
9 December 1944
GENERAL ORDERS )
NUMBER
11 )
AWARD OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, POSTHUMOUS
SECTION
1 ***
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I. AWARD OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, POSTHUMOUS;
Under the provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, and
pursuant to authority contained in paragraph 3 c, Section I, Circular Number
32, Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, United States Army, 20
March 1944, as amended, the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded
posthumously to the following enlisted men:
ALVIN H. HENDERSON, 38271077, Staff Sergeant, Infantry, United States Army.
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an
armed enemy on 17 September 1944 in Nijmegen, Holland. Staff Sergeant
HENDERSON was platoon sergeant of the 2d Platoon, Company "A", * * * *
Infantry, and while on patrol in the city of Nijmegen killed two Germans in
hand-to-hand fighting and bayoneted four others. He led his patrol in the
accomplishment of three separate missions during the attack by his
battalion, during which time he personally destroyed four enemy machine gun
positions and assisted in the capture of six prisoners. When the point of
the battalion advance became pinned down by enemy machine gun fire in the
city of Nijmegen, Staff Sergeant HENDERSON led a squad from the advance
guard and pushed forward, destroying this enemy position. He attacked a
circular plaza to this front and cleared it of enemy. Later, at the bridge,
he personally destroyed two machine gun positions and caused the crew of the
third to withdraw. During this attack he was killed by enemy fire. The
gallant and courageous actions of Staff Sergeant HENDERSON contributed
greatly to the destruction of enemy resistance within the city and rendered
a most vital and distinguished service in the accomplishment of the Division
mis¬sion. The conduct of Staff Sergeant HENDERSON reflects the finest
traditions of the United States Army. Entered military service from Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma.
By command of Major General RIDGWAY:
RALPH P. EATON,
Colonel, GSC,
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL
/s/ Herbert L. Nelson
/t/ HERBERT L. NELSON Lt Col, A. G. D. , Adjutant
General
R E S T R I C T E D
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