Daniel Benedict Henry
Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer First Class, U.S. Navy

On 27 August 1967, then-Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer Second Class Daniel Benedict Henry was serving as an Operating Room Technician with First Medical Battalion, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam.

On that date, PO2 Henry was near DaNang, in direct support of combat operations against communist insurgent (Viet Cong) forces. When a battalion surgeon was about to perform a surgical amputation of a leg of a seriously wounded casualty with an "armed" 2.75-in. rocket embedded in the injured limb, PO2 Henry, realizing the gravity of the situation, volunteered to assist in the surgery. Although anticipating that the rocket might explode at any moment, PO2 Henry displayed an outstanding degree of professionalism in administering to the pre-surgical needs of the patient. After the anesthetic had been administered and the patient positioned, PO2 Henry aided the surgeon throughout the 45 minute operation. By his outstanding courage, technical competence and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, PO2 Henry provided valuable assistance in saving the wounded man's life and in removing the threat of death or injury from other personnel working in the vicinity of the operating room. PO2 Henry's courage and dedication to duty that day earned him the U.S. Navy's second highest award for valor, the Navy Cross.

PO2 Henry was Killed in Action during a mortar attack in Thua Thien Province on 31 January 1968.

Medals and Awards

Navy Cross
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Navy Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Navy Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Hospitalman First Class [then Petty Officer Second Class] Daniel Benedict Henry (NSN: 2365535), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 27 August 1967 while serving as an Operating Room Technician with First Medical Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, near DaNang, Republic of Vietnam, in direct support of combat operations against communist insurgent (Viet Cong) forces. When a battalion surgeon was about to perform a surgical amputation of a leg of a seriously wounded casualty who hand an "armed" 2.75-in. rocket imbedded in the injured limb, Petty Officer First Class Henry, realizing the gravity of the situation, volunteered to assist in the surgery. Although anticipating that the rocket might explode at any moment, he displayed an outstanding degree of professionalism in administering to the pre-surgical needs of the patient. After the anesthetic had been administered and the patient positioned, Petty Officer Henry aided the surgeon throughout the forty-five minute operation. By his outstanding courage, technical competence and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Petty Officer Henry lent valuable assistance in saving the wounded man's life and in removing the threat of death or injury from other personnel working in the vicinity of the operating room. His inspiring conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Honors

The name Daniel B Henry is located on Panel 36E Line 14 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer First Class Daniel Benedict Henry is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Biddeford, York County, ME.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48780964/daniel-benedict-henry