Frederick F. Henry
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

Frederick Funston Henry was born in Vian, OK, and joined the U.S. Army from Clinton, OK, in September 1940 and then served in World War II and the Korean War.

On 1 September 1950, 1LT Henry was serving as a Platoon Leader in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in South Korea. On that day, near Am-Dong, 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 heroic actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor five months later on 16 February 1951.

Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor *
Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Korean Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

* Medal of Honor Citation:

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company F, 38th Infantry Regiment

Place and date: Vicinity of Am-Dong, Korea, 1 September 1950

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 1-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.

Medals, Awards and Badges

In addition to the Medal of Honor, First Lieutenant Henry was awarded the Purple Heart.

Honors

In May 1960, a U.S. Army facility in Daegu, South Korea, was re-named "Camp Henry" in his honor.

Death

First Lieutenant Henry was Missing in Action on 1 September 1950 and was later Presumed Dead as of that date. His body was never recovered and his name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, HI.