The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Claude T. Henderson, Jr. (MCSN: 434661), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Leader of a 60-mm. mortar section serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Mariana Islands on 25 July 1944. When hostile units launched a violent counter attack against his company’s position, Corporal Henderson immediately moved to the front lines and, despite withering enemy fire, skillfully directed a fierce mortar barrage against the onrushing Japanese. Assuming a position on the firing line when enemy units advanced two close for further mortar attack, he unhesitatingly exposed himself to hostile fire and furnished cover for a corpsman administering blood plasma to a casualty, firing his weapon with deadly effectiveness until he himself was mortally wounded. Corporal Henderson’s daring initiative and great personal valor in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.