The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John McHenry, Jr. (MCSN: 0-2909), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Vierzy, France, 19 July 1918. Lieutenant McHenry led his platoon through heavy machine-gun and artillery fire until he fell severely wounded. On 3 October 1918, while leading his platoon in the attack on the strongly fortified enemy position before Blanc Mont, he fell mortally wounded.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Navy Cross
-
Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 3, 1918
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John McHenry, Jr. (MCSN: 0-2909), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary devotion to duty while serving with the 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action at Somme Py, France, on 3 October 1918. Traveling two nights in order to take part in the action at Somme-Py, after having been released from a hospital and although offered a detail that would have kept him out of danger, Lieutenant McHenry insisted on taking his platoon into the firing line. With disregard for danger he was well in advance of the leading wave of his platoon when he was killed by enemy machine-gun fire.