Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Oran
K.
Henderson
1920-08-25

–

1998-06-02

Born:

Indianapolis

, 

Indiana

Home:

Indianapolis

, 

Indiana

During the Vietnam War, as a Colonel, Oran Henderson was the highest-ranking officer to be tried for his part in a cover-up of the massacre at My Lai in 1968. He was acquitted of all charges.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    February 1, 1972 – July 31, 1974

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Oran K. Henderson (ASN: 0-1307235), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1 February 1972 to 31 July 1974, as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Training, FIRST United States Army, and later as Commanding Officer, United States Army Garrison, Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Annville, Pennsylvania. As the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Training, Colonel Henderson consistently provided sound judgment and guidance that significantly improved the operation of FIRST Army’s Reserve Officers’ Training Program. Under Colonel Henderson’s highly effective leadership and management ability, Indiantown Gap Military Reservation has made significant contributions to the Army objective of the highest possible readiness posture of Reserve Forces. Exercising outstanding management of limited resources, Colonel Henderson provided a level of support to Reserve Component Forces that has received the gratitude and appreciation of all commanders. Colonel Henderson’s personal involvement in the Army Community Service Program through speaking engagements and active participation on community councils and committees has greatly enhanced the Army image throughout Central Pennsylvania. Colonel Henderson’s distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents achievement in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the Military Service of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 583 (1951) & 615 (1951)

    (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 (Infantry) Oran K. Henderson (ASN: 0-1307235), United States Army, for gallantry in action during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 31 – September 1, 1951
    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 615 (October 19, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Oran K. Henderson (ASN: 0-1307235), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer, Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy from 31 August to 1 September 1951 in the vicinity of Taeusan, Korea. On 31 August Company C, leading an attack against heavy enemy resistance, was ambushed by enemy forces employing intense automatic weapons fire. Captain Henderson, with utter disregard for his personal safety, deployed his men and directed their fire upon the enemy, personally inflicting numerous enemy casualties. On the following day of the attack, with only a small number of his men left, Captain Henderson again exposed himself to intense enemy fire and led his men in securing their final objective. When an estimated company size enemy force counterattacked his unit, Captain Henderson personally deployed his men and successfully withstood the attack, inflicting heavy casualties upon the enemy. The gallantry in action and outstanding leadership demonstrated by Captain Henderson reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 12, 1951
    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 583 (October 8, 1951)

    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 (Infantry) Oran K. Henderson (ASN: 0-1307235), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding Officer, Company C, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 12 September 1951 in the vicinity of Taeusan, Korea. On that date, while leading his company in the final assault on an enemy-held hill, Captain Henderson was aware that two of his platoons were separated by a ridge. He immediately committed his supporting platoon, taking a position in the center of the line. During the advance he personally inflicted numerous casualties upon the enemy. Consolidating the mixed units of A and C Companies, Captain Henderson, with utter disregard for his personal safety, placed himself in the most forward position of the combined units in order to maintain control of his units. His cool and determined attitude was the main factor in securing the objective. The gallantry in action displayed by Captain Henderson reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    11th Infantry Brigade

    Division:

    Americal Division

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Oran K. Henderson (ASN: 0-1307235), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Henderson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    11th Infantry Brigade

    Division:

    Americal Division

    Action Date:

    September 22, 1968
    Headquarters, Americal Division, General Orders No. 7688 (September 30, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Oran K. Henderson (ASN: 0-1307235), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 22 September 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Colonel Henderson distinguished himself by intrepid actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On that date, Company A, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment was in its final stages of an assault against a heavily fortified enemy outpost went of Ha Than Village. The command and control helicopter of the 1st Battalion was attempting to re-supply the company with much needed grenades and LAWs when it was hit by intense small arms and recoilless rifle fire and crashed. Upon receiving news of the crash, Colonel Henderson directed his aircraft to the site of the downed helicopter to insure that all the occupants were safely evacuated. On the ground, the attack on the enemy was being delayed as the troops were running out of ammunition. Quickly assessing the situation, Colonel Henderson had the supplies loaded on his helicopter. Despite the intense hostile fire, Colonel Henderson approached the embattled troops at ground level, through gullies and between trees. Disregarding his own personal safety, he jumped from the helicopter as it landed in the midst of the fighting infantry, pulling the boxes of grenades and LAWs out himself. This heroic re-supply of grenades and LAWs enabled the soldiers to continue their assault, routing the enemy and killing more than 14 insurgents while also capturing numerous weapons. Colonel Henderson’s outstanding display of personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.