Robert M. Henley
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 30 November 1944, Staff Sergeant Robert M. Henley was serving with the 46th Armored Infantry Battalion, attached to the 5th Armored Division, First U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, SSG Henley’s unit was in action against German forces in Germany. In an advance against the enemy in the Hurtgen Forest, SSG Henley's platoon was fired upon by a well-concealed machine gun and the dense woods made it extremely difficult to locate the hostile emplacement. SSG Henley voluntarily crossed a fire break and climbed a tree to a point twenty-five feet above the ground. From his post atop the tree, he located the position of the gun, descended and then inched his way through the forest toward the emplacement. Across the open fire break less than 25 yards away was the hostile weapon. SSG Henley exposed himself, fired his submachine gun directly into the emplacement and killed 3 members of the crew and wounded 2 others. SSG Henley’s selfless, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 21 December 1944, SSG Henley’s unit was in heavy fighting on the banks of the Roer River when he was killed in action.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

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 Staff Sergeant Robert M. Henley (ASN: 37068787), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 46th Armored Infantry Battalion, attached to the 5th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 November 1944, in Germany. In an advance against the enemy in the Hurtgen Forest, Staff Sergeant Henley's platoon was suddenly fired upon by a well-concealed machine gun. Limited observation due to the dense woods made it extremely difficult to locate the hostile emplacement. Voluntarily and with great personal courage, he crossed a fire break and climbed a tree to a point twenty-five feet from the ground. From his hazardous post atop the tree, he located the position of the gun, descended and inched his way through the forest toward the emplacement. Across the open fire break less than twenty-five yards away was the hostile weapon. Heroically, he exposed himself, fired his submachine gun directly into the emplacement and killed three members of the crew and wounded two others. Staff Sergeant Henley's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Armored Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 21 (February 6, 1945)

Burial

Staff Sergeant Robert M. Henley is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium in Plot E, Row 2, Grave 60.

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