Frederick F. Henry

Frederick Funston Henry (September 23, 1919 – September 1, 1950) was a United States Army officer and a posthumous recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Second Battle of Naktong Bulge in the Korean War.

Henry joined the United States Army from Clinton, Oklahoma, in September 1940, a week before his 21st birthday.^[1] During World War II, he served in the Pacific. By September 1, 1950, he was serving as a first lieutenant in Company F of the 38th Infantry Regiment. On that day, near Andong, Korea, his platoon was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Although seriously wounded, Henry ordered his men to withdraw while he stayed behind to cover their retreat. He single-handedly held the attackers at bay until being killed. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor five months later, on February 16, 1951.^[2]

Henry's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

1st Lt. Henry, Company F, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. His platoon was holding a strategic ridge near the town when they were attacked by a superior enemy force, supported by heavy mortar and artillery fire. Seeing his platoon disorganized by this fanatical assault, he left his foxhole and moving along the line ordered his men to stay in place and keep firing. Encouraged by this heroic action the platoon reformed a defensive line and rained devastating fire on the enemy, checking its advance. Enemy fire had knocked out all communications and 1st Lt. Henry was unable to determine whether or not the main line of resistance was alerted to this heavy attack. On his own initiative, although severely wounded, he decided to hold his position as long as possible and ordered the wounded evacuated and their weapons and ammunition brought to him. Establishing a l-man defensive position, he ordered the platoon's withdrawal and despite his wound and with complete disregard for himself remained behind to cover the movement. When last seen he was single-handedly firing all available weapons so effectively that he caused an estimated 50 enemy casualties. His ammunition was soon expended and his position overrun, but this intrepid action saved the platoon and halted the enemy's advance until the main line of resistance was prepared to throw back the attack. 1st Lt. Henry's outstanding gallantry and noble self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty reflect the highest honor on him and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.^[2]

In May 1960, a U.S. Army facility in Daegu, South Korea, was renamed Camp Henry in his honor.^[3] A memorial to Henry was unveiled in Annabelle Farmer Park, Vian, in October 2004.^[4]

• List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.

• "Frederick F. Henry". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
• "Frederick F. Henry". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved May 25, 2015.