World War II Honoree

Benedict A. Henderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Oakland, California

Honored By

Ashley Cordi

Relationship

80th Division Family Member

WAS THE CHAPLAIN AND BISHOP FOR THE 80TH DIVISION, 319TH INFANTRY REGIMENT. IN DECEMBER 1944 HE WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS BY HEADQUARTERS THIRD ARMY ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1944 THE 3RD BATTALION WAS ATTACKING THE HEAVILY FORTIFIED FORT VILLEY LE SAC NEAR TOUL, FRANCE. HEAVY CASUALTIES WERE SUFFERED AND THE OVERWORKED MEDICAL PERSONNEL WERE UNABLE TO EVACUATE ALL THE WOUNDED IMMEDIATELY. THE CHAPLAIN, HEARING THE CRIES OF THE WOUNDED, CRAWLED UNHESITATINGLY THROUGH THE CRATERED AND MINED BATTLEFIELD AND UNDER HEAVY FIRE, MADE HIS PERILOUS PILGRIMAGE TO THE TORN, TWISTED WRECKAGE OF A DISABLED TANK, FROM WHICH HE EXTRICATED A WOUNDED SOLDIER, CARRYING HIM 200 FIRE-SWEPT YARDS TO THE REAR AND SAFETY. HE AGAIN WENT FORWARD UNDER FIRE AND ENCOUNTERED A HARD-PRESSED LITTER SQUAD WORKING DESPERATELY OVER TWO WOUNDED MEN, THE MOST SERIOUSLY WOUNDED OF WHICH THEY EVACUATED. REALIZING THAT PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION WOULD SAVE THE OTHER BOY, HE GENTLY LIFTED HIM ONTO HIS BACK AND ONCE AGAIN STARTED THE DANGEROUS TRIP TO THE REAR, MACHINE GUNS KICKED UP PUFFS OF DUST AROUND HIM, SNIPER BULLETS WHINED THEIR DEADLY WARNING, BUT CRAWLING ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES, HE FEARLESSLY SAVED A SECOND LIFE THAT DAY.