The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class [then Sergeant] Gene L. Henry (ASN: ER-39889717), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 15 May 1951, in the vicinity of Yusil-li, Korea. On that date his company had been committed to a direct assault on heavily fortified enemy positions located on a mountain overlooking an important pass. Sergeant Henry, in the center of the line, led the attack and, although under direct enemy fire, so skillfully directed the deployment of his comrades that the objective was taken quickly with a minimum of casualties. Throughout the course of the attack Sergeant Henry himself killed many of the enemy and demolished numerous enemy strongpoints with white phosphorous grenades. Upon reaching the objective, he reorganized the platoon and directed the erection of defensive positions against a possible enemy counterattack. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Henry reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.