Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) Henry Everett Emerson (ASN: 0-50868), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Colonel Emerson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions from 30 May to 4 June 1968 in the Plain of Reeds while leading his brigade against the Viet Cong. Two days of ground sweeps failed to uncover the communists. Colonel Emerson boarded his helicopter on 1 June and directed that he be taken on a low-level reconnaissance through the operation area. He located a Viet Cong base camp and ordered an air assault against it. Ignoring heavy anti-aircraft fire which was directed at and struck his ship, he circled above the battle area at less than three hundred feet and called air strikes on the enemy. Frequently he landed to personally direct the maneuver of his troops. As evening came a severe thunderstorm lashed the battle site, but he stayed in the air until he was told that his craft was flying on emergency fuel. During the night the enemy units fled, and although Colonel Emerson located their escape route the next day, they disappeared before his troops could re-engage them. Flying at tree-top level on 3 June, he discovered a massive Viet Cong bunker complex and immediately committed his forces in a series of air assaults. His men came under devastating automatic weapons fire, and by late afternoon the situation was critical. By landing at strategic points in the midst of the enemy fusillade and repeatedly flying low over the communists’ positions, Colonel Emerson was able to skillfully coordinate his troops’ maneuvers and direct air and artillery bombardments on the hostile emplacements. As he conducted a bitter night assault which completely encircled the Viet Cong, his helicopter was hit six times by enemy machine gun fire and disabled. After landing to obtain another ship and a fresh crew he returned to the fight, staying with his men until long after midnight to insure that the wounded were evacuated, all units were resupplied and arrangements were made for continued air and artillery strikes. The struggle ended the next morning and two first line Viet Cong battalions had been shattered. General Emerson’s heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and on the U.S. Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    5th Regimental Combat Team

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1950

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Henry Everett Emerson (ASN: 0-50868), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy Korea in 1950. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Emerson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    1st Brigade

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Henry Everett Emerson (ASN: 0-50868), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Colonel Emerson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, and later as Assistant Division Commander of the 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy in 1968 and 1969. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Emerson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    1st Brigade

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 5, 1968

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3361 (July 15, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) Henry Everett Emerson (ASN: 0-50868), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Colonel Emerson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 April 1968 as commander of an infantry brigade during a reconnaissance-in-force mission in Dinh Tuong Province. One of his brigade elements came under intense automatic weapons fire when it enter an unmarked mine field. Because of the fire, its advance was halted and the momentum of its attack was imperiled. Upon hearing of this, Colonel Emerson directed his command aircraft to land in the battle area where, completely disregarding his own safety, he took command of the beleaguered element. His presence on the battle field under intense fire quickly inspired his men to redouble their efforts and gain fire superiority over the enemy. After assuring that the insurgents were well under control, he returned to his helicopter and was informed that another battalion was engaging a large insurgent force and was having trouble in determining the exact deployment of the enemy. He directed his craft to fly over the battle area to assess the situation. His ship was flying at a low level, and it was immediately subjected to fierce enemy fire. Using the muzzle flashes to detect the location of the Viet Cong, he ordered his battalion into a position where it could encircle the insurgents and begin their methodical destruction. Observing five Viet Cong fleeing the conflict area, he directed his pilot to land. He immediately leaped from the aircraft, and, using only his pistol, killed one of the enemy and captured another.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    March – August 1968

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 7 (January 29, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General (then Colonel] Henry Everett Emerson (ASN: 0-50868), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during the period March 1968 to August 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. Initially given the mission of opening and securing National Route 4, the vital highway life-line between Saigon and the Mekong Delta, General Emerson through exceptional courage and aggressiveness coupled with brilliant tactical innovations, quickly drove the Viet Cong from the highway. In addition, through a series of major actions in the Plain of Reeds and elsewhere in western Dinh Tuong, he destroyed the ability of the Viet Cong main force units to conduct offensive operations in the province. The 1st Brigade moved to Long An Province in late June and within weeks General Emerson’s Brigade had engaged and seriously damaged five Viet Cong battalions. This series of continuous offensive operations disrupted the Viet Cong local campaign plan for their vaunted third offensive against Saigon. His innovations in the tactful use of air cavalry, assault helicopter units and airborne personnel detectors have made an invaluable contribution to the combat effectiveness of his brigade. General Emerson’s gallant leadership and imaginative employment of forces have significantly furthered the national interests of the United States in the Republic of Vietnam. Brigadier General Emerson’s outstanding performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit on him, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 7 (January 29, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Henry Everett Emerson (ASN: 0-50868), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    1st Brigade

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Henry Everett Emerson (ASN: 0-50868), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Colonel Emerson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, and later as Assistant Division Commander of the 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy in 1968 and 1969. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Emerson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Henry Everett Emerson (ASN: 0-50868), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Henry Everett Emerson (ASN: 0-50868), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    1st Brigade

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Henry Everett Emerson (ASN: 0-50868), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Colonel Emerson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, and later as Assistant Division Commander of the 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy in 1968 and 1969. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Emerson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Henry Everett Emerson (ASN: 0-50868), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.