Benedict Harrison graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in 1931. He then attended Saint AnthonyÕs Seminary, Santa Barbara, California, receiving his D.D. in 1939. He was ordained a Catholic Priest of the Franciscan Order. From 1939 until the outbreak of war, he lived with the Apache Indians in the White River Mountains of New Mexico, studying and systemizing the Apache language. He also served as Assistant Pastor of a local church. He volunteered for service as a U.S. Army chaplain, and upon receiving special permission from the Vatican, he was commissioned in April 1942. He may be the only Franciscan Priest thus accepted into the Chaplaincy in World War II. His first assignment was in the Panama Canal Zone, and later to the 80th Infantry Division, going into the European Theater of Operations with them in 1944, shortly after D-Day. Following the war he remained in service and, in 1949, attended the Command and General Staff College, and the following year became Assistant Army Chaplain of the FOURTH Army. He subsequently served with the 7th Infantry Division in Korea. He attended the Army War College in 1953-54, and then became Division Chaplain for the 1st Infantry Division, and then was appointed Director of Personnel for the Chief of Chaplains at the Pentagon. He retired as a U.S. Army colonel. In 1970 he was serving as pastor of a church in Mexico when he was killed in an automobile accident.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
319th Infantry RegimentDivision:
80th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 80th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 270 (1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Benedict Arthur Henderson (ASN: 0-447607), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with Headquarters, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy near Toul, France, during World War II. Chaplain Henderson, without regard for his own safety, pulled several wounded men from a disabled tank which was being blasted from three sides, and brought them to safety. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Henderson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
319th Infantry RegimentDivision:
80th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Benedict Arthur Henderson (ASN: 0-447607), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with Headquarters, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Henderson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
319th Infantry RegimentDivision:
80th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 6, 1944
Headquarters, THIRD U.S. Army, General Orders No. 96 (November 23, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Benedict Arthur Henderson (ASN: 0-447607), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Chaplain with the 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. On 6 September 1944, the Battalion to which Chaplain Henderson was assigned, was attacking the heavily fortified Fort Valley Le Sec near Toul, France. Heavy casualties were suffered and there were not sufficient medical personnel to evacuate all of the wounded immediately. Chaplain Henderson, upon hearing the many cries of the wounded for aid, with complete disregard for his own safety, crawled unhesitatingly onto the field of battle and made his way under fire to a disabled tank. He fearlessly mounted the tank, extricated the wounded man from within, and carried him 200 yards to the rear where he turned him over to a littler squad. He again went forward under fire and encountered a litter squad administering first aid to two injured men, the more seriously wounded of whom they evacuated. Realizing the need for immediate evacuation of the other man, Chaplain Henderson lifted him onto his back and started to the rear. When machine gun fire, directed against him from the fort, fell perilously near, he dropped to the ground and under continuous enemy machine gun and sniper fire dragged the wounded man the rest of the way. The unselfish, heroic actions of Chaplain Henderson; his inspiring courage and supreme devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States.