Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, 13th Airborne Division, U.S. Army

Awarded on:

July 27th, 1945

First Lieutenant Howard E. Hensleigh, 0526649, 517th Parachute Infantry, United States Army, for heroic achievement in action. On 6 February 1945 the Third Battalion launched an attack against the enemy east of Bergstein, Germany. The forward platoon of the assault company soon was pinned down by enemy small arms and mortar fire. First Lieutenant Hensleigh, Battalion S-2, promptly obtained an SCR 300 radio and with complete disregard for his own safety made his way forward and directed counter-fire on the enemy emplacements, thus enabling the assault company to move forward. After advancing four hundred yards, the assault company was again immobilized in a minefield by five enemy machine guns, a number of riflemen and extremely heavy mortar and artillery fire. Many casualties resulted, several men falling in an area exposed to direct small arms fire. First Lieutenant Hensleigh, despite a hail of fire, cut a path through barbed wire so that the men could be evacuated. The fire in this area was so intense that over half of the assault company was killed or wounded. When the artillery liaison officer was killed by mortar fire, First Lieutenant Hensleigh took over his radio and directed fire on the enemy for over eleven hours, many times making his way forward to the leading elements for better observation. In one particularly heavy enemy attack First Lieutenant Hensleigh courageously remained in his position when death or capture seemed imminent. His expert fire direction was instrumental in breaking up the attack. In these grueling hours First Lieutenant Hensleigh’s heroism was an inspiration to all those serving with him. His resolute actions saved the lives of many of his men and were instrumental in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Entered the military service from Des Moines, Iowa.

Headquarters, 13th Airborne Division, General Orders No. 48 (27 July 1945).
This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leaf to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.