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Navy Federal Credit Union

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.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Regiment:

    Sixth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 19 & October 3, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 60 (1920)

    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.