David Hill Henry Jr.

Commanding Officer

Company A 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

4th Infantry Division

KIA 07/11/1944

 

 

 

David H. Henry Jr. was born in Pickens County, South Carolina on July 22, 1915.
His religion was listed as Protestant.

The date of his assignment to the 22nd Infantry is unknown. According to an entry on the Clemson University
website he entered active duty service in January 1942. That may be the date he was assigned to the 22nd Infantry.
He was with the Regiment at least by 1943 serving in the capacity of Regimental Adjutant.

 

Above: The signature of David H. Henry as a 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant on General Orders No. 3
of Headquarters Combat Team 22 at Camp Gordon Johnston, Florida dated October 15, 1943.

Courtesy of John Tomawski

 

 

He was assigned to Company A from Regimental Headquarters on July 10, 1944.

David H. Henry Jr. was killed in action in France in the vicinity of La Maugerie on July 11, 1944.

His promotion to Captain was most likely posthumous.

 

 

The following is from the Clemson University Alumni website:

 

David Hill Henry Jr.

War: World War II

Class: 1936

Major: Textile Engineering

Activities while at Clemson: Cadet Sergeant, Second Lieutenant; Chairman Planing Commission ; Central Dance Association 4;
Alpha Chi Psi 1,2 3,4; President 4; ROTC Camp McClellan Alabama; Tiger Brotherhood

Home Town: Clemson, South Carolina

Service: US Army

Rank: First Lieutenant




Unit: 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division


Date of Death: July 11, 1944

Details of Death: Killed in Action

Awards / Citations: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge



Personal remembrances and tributes:

The following is based on a conversation with Albert M. Henry, David’s younger brother and various newspaper articles:

David had a very outgoing personality and was well liked. He was an outstanding athlete in many sports. He and his friend,
Carl McHugh, enjoyed playing at Boscobel Golf Course. He was actively involved in student activities at Clemson and
graduated in Textile Engineering in 1936 and received an ROTC Commission. He worked for Union Bleachery in Greenville
before being called into service in January 1942. He was in the Infantry and went overseas in January 1943. He participated
in the invasion at Normandy, France June 6, 1944. He was promoted to Captain shortly before his death on July 11, 1944.

My other brother, Rufus, who also attended Clemson, was a Flight Engineer on a B-29 and was also killed in action in China.

Albert Henry, the youngest brother, also served in WW II (1943 -46). He was being deployed overseas when he received
notification of Rufus’ death. Deployment orders were rescinded because the Henry Family had already lost two sons in the war.
Albert remained in the States for the duration of his service. Currently he resides in Clemson, SC. ¹

(Website editor: The date of David Henry's deployment overseas listed above is incorrect. David went overseas with
the 22nd Infantry in January 1944.)

 

In the 1936 Clemson yearbook the entry for David Henry gave his nicknames as "Duck" or Squat."
That same entry also had the following :

"Love for one, friendship for a few, and respect for many."

 

 

¹

 

 

David H. Henry in ROTC at Clemson ¹

 

 

David Henry's decorations

 

 

 

 

 

David H. Henry was buried in the temporary U.S. Military Cemetery
Sainte Mere-Eglise #2 at Carentan, France in Block J Row 4 Grave 69 and was moved to the permanent
cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, most likely in 1948 when the temporary cemeteries were shut down.

 

Burial:
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
Colleville-sur-Mer
Departement du Calvados
Basse-Normandie, France

Plot D Row 7 Grave 37

 

Grave marker for David H. Henry Jr.

Photo by virginie macagno from the Find A Grave website maintained by: robin pellicci moore

 

 

 

Memorial for David H. Henry Jr. at Old Stone Church Cemetery in Clemson, South Carolina.

Photo by David Lyle from the Find A Grave website maintained by: robin pellicci moore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top photo of David Henry as a Lieutenant in the 22nd Infantry from

¹ Clemson University Alumni website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


BACK

Home | Photos | Battles & History | Current |
Rosters & Reports | Medal of Honor | Killed in Action |
Personnel Locator | Commanders | Station List | Campaigns |
Honors | Insignia & Memorabilia | 4-42 Artillery | Taps |
What's New | Editorial | Links |