Honoring our Fallen Hero:
PVT. JOHN M. HENDERSON, JR.
Died Aug. 4, 2005
Operation Enduring Freedom
Pvt. John M. Henderson, Jr. died during combat operations in Afghanistan Aug. 4, 2005, during a mounted combat patrol northeast of Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga.
A 21-year-old native of Columbus, Ga., Henderson enlisted in the Army in December 2004 and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning as a mortar man. He graduated from the Basic Airborne Course in April 2005 and was assigned to the Ranger Training Detachment, 75th Ranger Regt. Henderson graduated from Ranger Indoctrination Program in May and was assigned to 3rd Bn. in July 2005.
Henderson’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Henderson is survived by his father John Henderson, his mother Susan Henderson and his sisters, Amy and Sarah.
As a Ranger, Henderson distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism and fought valiantly to “uphold the prestige, honor and high ‘esprit de corps’” of the Ranger Regiment.
– RANGERS LEAD THE WAY! –
I never knew you butI will never forget your sacrifice. You are truly one of my
I was in Afghanistan when we lost John. He would always sit next to me and we would chat in the small chow hall at breakfast about home and our families. He was always the friendliest guy in the room. He was proud to be a Ranger and serving his country. Of all the comrades I’ve lost, I remember him the most. It’s been 20 years and he is still in my thoughts. I wish I had more time to know him better.