The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Hospitalman First Class [then Petty Officer Second Class] Daniel Benedict Henry (NSN: 2365535), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 27 August 1967 while serving as an Operating Room Technician with First Medical Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, near DaNang, Republic of Vietnam, in direct support of combat operations against communist insurgent (Viet Cong) forces. When a battalion surgeon was about to perform a surgical amputation of a leg of a seriously wounded casualty who hand an “armed” 2.75-in. rocket imbedded in the injured limb, Petty Officer First Class Henry, realizing the gravity of the situation, volunteered to assist in the surgery. Although anticipating that the rocket might explode at any moment, he displayed an outstanding degree of professionalism in administering to the pre-surgical needs of the patient. After the anesthetic had been administered and the patient positioned, Petty Officer Henry aided the surgeon throughout the forty-five minute operation. By his outstanding courage, technical competence and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Petty Officer Henry lent valuable assistance in saving the wounded man’s life and in removing the threat of death or injury from other personnel working in the vicinity of the operating room. His inspiring conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.