World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Arvel Harvey Henderson
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Hartford, Arkansas
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN AUGUST, 1942. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER FOR 2 1/2 YEARS, AND IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER FOR SIX MONTHS, ABOARD THE BATTLESHIP USS SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57). PARTICIPATED IN 13 MAJOR BATTLES, WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION, AND WAS PRESENT AT THE SIGNING OF THE JAPANESE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER IN TOKYO BAY ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1945. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR IN OCTOBER, 1945 AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.