Lawrence D. Henry
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 16 March 1945, Private First Class Lawrence D. Henry was serving with Troop B, 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, PFC Henry’s unit was in action against German forces at Riol, Germany, when PFC Henry's platoon came under artillery and small-arms fire that struck with devastating effect. All 5 of the unit's tanks were wrecked, many men were killed and wounded, and the remainder were under continuing German fire. To cover his comrade's withdrawal, PFC Henry moved to the deck of a wrecked tank and manned the machine gun until killed at his post. PFC Henry’s selfless, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

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 Private First Class Lawrence D. Henry (ASN: 37509165), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Troop B, 3d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), in action against enemy forces at Riol, Germany, on 16 March 1945. On that date, Private First Class Henry's platoon came under artillery and small-arms fire which struck with devastating effect. All five tanks were wrecked, many men were killed and wounded, and the remainder were left under continued enemy fire. To cover the withdrawal of his comrades, Private First Class Henry mounted alone to the deck of a wrecked tank and manned the machine gun alone until killed at his post. His heroic sacrifice, an act of supreme gallantry and in keeping with the highest military traditions, enabled many of his comrades to withdraw.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 10 (January 22, 1947)

Burial

Private First Class Lawrence D. Henry is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm, Canton de Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg in Plot H, Row 1, Grave 1.

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