World War II Honoree

Kenneth Henson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Rinard, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON OCTOBER 29, 1940 AT EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BOOT CAMP AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, AND ATTENDED THE 24 WEEK NAVAL TRAINING SCHOOL (INSTRUCTORS-GUNNERS MATES), NAVY YARD, WASH., D.C. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED IN TURN ABOARD THE BATTLESHIP USS NEW YORK BB-34 (LEAD SHIP OF HER CLASS), THE ESSEX CLASS FLEET CARRIER USS BUNKER HILL CV-17, AND THE ESSEX CLASS FLEET CARRIER USS INTREPID CV-11. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZED BY 1999 CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER AND 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A GUNNER’S MATE FIRST CLASS ON DECEMBER 24, 1946 AT THE NAVAL PERSONNEL SEPARATION CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.