First Lieutenant Kenneth W. Henry (MCSN: 0-43000), United States Marine Corps, was held as a Prisoner of War after he was shot down and captured during the Korean War on 8 February 1952 and was held until his release on 5 September 1953.
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First Lieutenant Kenneth W. Henry (MCSN: 0-43000), United States Marine Corps, was held as a Prisoner of War after he was shot down and captured during the Korean War on 8 February 1952 and was held until his release on 5 September 1953.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Kenneth W. Henry (MCSN: 0-43000), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while attached to the U.S.S. MANCHESTER during combat rescue operations deep in enemy territory, northwest of Wonsan, Korea, on 8 February 1952. Although keenly aware of the grave hazards involved, First Lieutenant Henry volunteered to accompany the ship’s helicopter on a daring mission in an attempt to rescue a downed pilot. With his aircraft forced down while hovering for the pickup and rendered inoperable by damaged rotor blades, he hurried to the assistance of the badly injured airman and, sacrificing his own chance of immediate rescue in another helicopter which had landed twice on a steep incline some 300 yards distant, rendered first aid to the stricken man in the face of small arms fire from concealed enemy positions and prepared the casualty for movement to the landing point. When the second helicopter was damaged by hostile fire and forced to temporarily abandon the area, First Lieutenant Henry continued to protect he injured pilot while awaiting further rescue operations. His marked courage, daring initiative and selfless efforts in behalf of another were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.