World War II Honoree

Ernest Henderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Springfield, Illinois

Honored By

Bradley Henderson

Relationship

Nephew

ENLISTED 1940. DENIED DISCHARGE; SENT TO GUARD PANAMA CANAL WITH 106TH CAVALRY AFTER PEARL HARBOR ATTACK. PATROLLED JUNGLES OF PANAMA IN SEARCH OF JAPANESE RADIO POSTS. TRANSFERRED TO TROOP B, 32ND CAVALRY RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON, 14TH CAVALRY GROUP. LANDED ON OMAHA BEACH AFTER IT WAS SECURED. TROOP B WAS ONE OF THE FIRST AMERICAN UNITS TO BE ATTACKED ON DECEMBER 16, 1944, BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HONOREE WAS FEATURED IN FEBRUARY 25, 1945 STARS AND STRIPES. AWARDED COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, 4 BRONZE STARS, EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS MEDAL WITH 5 BATTLE STARS, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL WITH 1 BATTLE STAR, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, BELGIAN CROSS OF GALLANTRY, FRENCH FOURRAGERE AND PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION.