Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Bruce Devitt Henry, United States Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Section Leader of a machine-gun section attached to a rifle platoon with the First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in North Central Korea, on 10 June 1951. Sergeant Henry was participating in an attack against a fanatical hostile force occupying strongly-fortified positions on a steep hill when his platoon’s advance was halted by a devastating enemy fire. While attempting to set up his guns, Sergeant Henry was subjected to intense automatic weapons fire from an enemy emplacement on an opposite ridge. Unhesitatingly, Sergeant Henry made a lone-man charge up the fire-swept slope, and reaching the emplacement and closing in hand-to-hand combat with its four enemy occupants, killed two and took two enemy prisoners. Although Sergeant Henry sustained a painful wound in this action, he refused evacuation and fearlessly remained with his unit until the stubborn foe was routed and the enemy strongpoint secured. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Staff Sergeant Henry on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

Awards Received