Memorial

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Pfc Lawrence D. Henry was employed at the Standard Briquette Fuel Company before he enlisted in 1943.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. The citation cited: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with B Troop, 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), in action against enemy forces at Riol, Germany, on 16 March 1945. On that date, Pfc Henry's platoon came under artillery and small-arms fire which struck with devastating effect. All five tanks were wrecked, many men were killed and wounded, and the remainder were left under continued enemy fire. To cover the withdrawal of his comrades, Pfc Henry mounted alone to the deck of a wrecked tank and manned the machine gun alone until killed at his post. His heroic sacrifice, an act of supreme gallantry and in keeping with the highest military traditions, enabled many of his comrades to withdraw.