Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    February 23, 1969

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Henry Perry (MCSN: 1490605), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company G, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 February 1969, Staff Sergeant Perry led a reaction force of two squads to the aid of another unit which was pinned down by a heavy volume of fire from a hostile unit occupying a well-concealed position in an area west of DaNang. Arriving at the designated location, he immediately deployed his men to the point of heaviest contact and, unhesitatingly disregarding his own safety, delivered light anti-tank assault weapon fire on the enemy force. Observing two of his wounded men fall in a dangerously exposed position, he fearlessly moved across the fire-swept area and pulled them to the relative safety of a covered location where they could receive medical attention. Boldly exposing himself to the intense fire, he aggressively assaulted an enemy machine gun position and killed the gunner. Continuing his determined efforts, he resolutely maneuvered to another emplacement, killed a hostile rifleman, and then withdrew his men to allow air strikes to be conducted on the enemy force. During a subsequent search of the area, his squads discovered and eliminated several more hostile soldiers. On 25 February, Staff Sergeant Perry again distinguished himself by fearlessly moving across a fire-swept area to pull one of his injured men to the safety of a covered position. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Staff Sergeant Perry inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.