The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Atticus L. Henderson (ASN: RA-14372038), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23 June 1951, a section of D Company’s machine guns were attached to C Company’s assault platoon, attacking Hill 717. During the attack, after the troops had advanced to the base of the hill, the lead elements, to whom the machine guns were giving close support, were pinned down by an encompassing hail of enemy small arms and machine gun fire. Corporal Henderson, realizing the extremely serious nature of their position, unhesitatingly ran through the bullet-swept area to place his weapon in a position from which he delivered effective neutralizing fire upon the enemy. After destroying one hostile machine gun emplacement, he learned that the platoon had been ordered to resume its assault. Picking up the machine gun and placing it against his hip with the ammunition belt flung over his shoulder, Corporal Henderson fearlessly led the assault unit up the hill, blasting a route of approach through the enemy positions with the devastating fire of his weapon. In the course of the action, he was wounded by hostile rifle fire, but refusing medical attention, he continued to press forward until the hill was taken and his weapon was located in a defensive position. Corporal Henderson’s exceedingly brave action and gallant determination reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.