Fourth Generation! Maurice Victor "Red" HENRY, [SFA�-ID# 1.1.1.4] (3rd Son of    Levi Judson "L.J." HENRY, Sr. & Mother: Lola Mae STINGLEY), of Nodaway Co., MO.) (GrandSon of Wm. Alfred HENRY & Mother: Effie BARTON, of Nodaway Co., MO.) b. 14 Jul 1913, nr Ravenwood, Nodaway Co., Missouri d. 26 Nov 1943, age 30yrs, 4mths, & 12 days, "k.i.a" Killed in Action, WW-II "Red" has 2 Memorial Cemetery markers: 1st at: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial Cambridgeshire, England 2nd at: Oaklawn Cemetery, Ravenwood, Nodaway Co., Missouri USA At age 23yrs he married, on 25 Oct 1936, in Atchison, Atchison Co., Kansas to: [See: m.rec.] 20 year old Miss Ruth Margaret BRYANT, (5th Dau of Edmond Harrison BRYANT & Mother: Allie BRUCE) (GrandDau of Wm. P. BRYANT & Mother: Louisa SMITH) b. 13 Jul 1916, Mercer, Mercer Co., Missouri d. 27 Aug 1989, age 73yrs, 1mths, & 14 days, Fulton, Aransas Co., Texas Buried: Rockport Cemetery, Rockport, Aransas Co., Texas <---See: Find A Grave Memorial# 93289555 [Created by: Paul R Sarrett, Jr, Jul 08, 2012] They had 2 Children born to this Union: The 1st Mrs HENRY, married 2nd in 1948, Fulton, Aransas Co., Texas to: Clifford Earl DIETRICH, (2nd Son of Charles R. DIETRICH & Mother: Frances Louise VANDERPOOL) b. 26 Mar 1913, Fulton, Aransas Co., Texas d. 20 Jan 1988, age 74yrs, 9 mths, & 24 days, Fulton, Aransas Co., Texas Buried: Rockport Cemetery, Rockport, Aransas Co., Texas <---See: Find A Grave Memorial# 93289355 [Created by: Paul R Sarrett, Jr, Jul 08, 2012]

FIRST MARRIAGE: *1936 KS. Miss Ruth Margaret BRYANT,  They had 2 Children born to this 1st Union: (1 Son & 1 Dau)
Son/Dau	Click on Name for More Inf.	b.-d.	Married/Info.	Ch.
1.1.1.4.1 Only Son:	Paul Howard HENRY,	b. 19 May 1937, MO.  d. 08 Mar 1939, 21mths   FAG Mem.# 93292077	Cause of Death: "Lobar Pneumonia"  bd. Oak Lawn Cem., Ravenwood, MO.
1.1.1.4.1 Only Dau:	Martha Lucille HENRY, <--- See: Obituary, Jun 28th, 2006	b. 07 Nov 1937, MO.  d. 26 Jun 2006, 68yrs  d. Baytown, Harris Co.,TX.  bd. Rockport Cem., TX.   FAG Mem.# 93483803	m. 1958 TX.  Isham McELVEEN  1. 1st Son: Marcus E. McELVEEN, (dec'd)  2. 2nd Son: Joseph L. McELVEEN, TX.      m. Miss Nancy Unknown, ?Ch.  3. 3rd Son: Charles Bryan McELVEEN, TX.	3Ch
<---  "Out-Of-Wedlock" April 1943 Miss Blanche A. SMITH,  They had 1 Daughter born to this Union:
1.1.1.4.3 Only Dau:	Maralyn Jane SMITH,	b. 12 Jan 1944, MO.  d. 11 Aug 2010, 66yrs	b. Maryville, MO.  d. Rogers, Windham Co., NY.  m. Mr. WHIPPLE,	?Ch
3    Known Grandchildren/1st Cousins

Chronological Timeline!  Maurice V. "Red" HENRY
Item	Date	Age	Description (Click on Date for more Information!)	Living in Co.
Born	1913		on 14th Jul in home of Parents & 3 Siblings (4th Born) in   Ravenwood	Nodaway Co., MO.
Census	1920	7yrs	on 26th Jan in home of Parents & 3 Siblings in   Ravenwood	Nodaway Co., MO.
Census	1920	4yrs	Ruth, on 30th Jan in home of Parents & 7 Siblings in   Marion Twp.	Mercer Co., MO.
Census	1930	17yrs	on 25th Apr in home of Parents & 3 Siblings in   Jackson Twp.	Nodaway Co., MO.
Census	1930	14yrs	1st Wife: Ruth, on 02nd Apr in home of Parents & 3 Siblings in   Maryville	Nodaway Co., MO.
Census	1930	7yrs	2nd Wife: Blanch, on 5th Apr in home of Parents, 902 East 7th St., Maryville	Nodaway Co., MO.
Grad.	1932	18yrs	in June Graduated from Northeast Nodaway High School  Ravenwood	Nodaway Co., MO.
Grad.	1934	18yrs	Ruth, in June Graduated from Maryville High School  Maryville	Nodaway Co., MO.
Photos	1935	19yrs	Ruth, in some Photos from Maryville	Nodaway Co., MO.
Photos	1936	23yrs	on 4th Jul, at Swope Park with Bud Sarrett & Lucille Wilson	Kansas City, MO..
1stMarriage	1936	23yrs	on 25th Oct, Miss Ruth M. BRYANT, 20yrs	Atchison KS.
Born	1937	24yrs	on 07th Nov, Only Dau Martha Lucille HENRY, Ravenwood	Nodaway Co., MO.
Born	1938	25yrs	on 19th May, Only Son Paul Howard HENRY, Ravenwood	Nodaway Co., MO.
Death	1940	27yrs	on __th Mar, Only Son Paul H. HENRY, dies 22mths, Ravenwood	Nodaway Co., MO.
WWII	1941	28yrs	on 07th Dec, Japan bomb Pearl Harbor!	Hawaii
WWII	1942	29yrs	on 08th Jun, Inducted Army Air Force,   Aerial Gunnery School in	Harlington, TX.
WWII	1943	30yrs	on 13th Mar, got his Silver Wings & Sergeant Rating (Went Home on Leave!)	Harlington, TX.
Conceived	1943	30yrs	on __th Apr, Miss Blanch A. SMITH, 20yrs, "Out-Of-Wedlock"	Maryville, MO.
WWII	1943	30yrs	on 26th Nov, joined 544th Squadron, 384th Bombardment Group, AAF	European Terr.
WWII	1943	30yrs	on 26th Nov, Shot down see: The Saga of Barrel House Bessie"	European Terr.
WWII	1943	30yrs	on 08th Dec, parents notified: Sgt. Maurice HENRY Missing in Action	European Terr.
WWII	1943	30yrs	on 27th Dec, parents received Son's: Congressional Medal of Honor	Ravenwood, MO.
Born	1944	N/A	on 12th Jan, "Out-Of-Wedlock" Dau Maralyn Jane Smith, born! Maryville	Nodaway Co., MO.
WWII	1944	N/A	on 24th Jan, Dau Martha L. received Father's: Distinguished Service Cross	Ravenwood, MO.

M.V. "Red" HENRY, 18yrs Graduated ~ 1932  Northeast Nodaway High School  126 S High School Ave., Ravenwood, MO 64479 <---Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo!

Ruth M. BRYANT, 18yrs Graduated ~ 1934  Maryville High School  1503 South Munn Avenue, Maryville, MO. <---Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo!

Civilian Conservation Corp (C.C.C.) Maryville, Missouri 1934 to 1936
These young men met here and these friends lasted the remainder of their lives,
Charlie HAMILTON,  (later married Shirly PAGENT)
<--- Marice V. "Red" HENRY, 1913-1943, 30yrs, MIA WWII, m.1st      m.1st *1936 KS. Miss Ruth Margaret BRYANT, 2Ch.      "Out-Of-Wedlock" Apr 1943 MO. Miss Blanche A. SMITH, 1 Ch.
<---  Norman "Flattop" KEETON 1913-1981, 68yrs  Married 18th July, 1953, K.C., MO. Alma Iola WILSON  Was a truck driver for Belger Cartage Service Inc. before he retired in 1972.  No Children!
"Penn" PENDLETON,  (later married Marjori GOODSON;
<--- Paul Raymond R. SARRETT, Sr., 17yrs 1917-1968, 50yrs (Killed in a Fire)       m.1st *1937 Martha "Lucille" WILSON, 6ch. (Div)       m.2nd c1956 Mrs Margaret (Lairson) STRUM, 0Ch.

Maryville, MO had two CCC camps: Company 1773-V
MF 6034 no. 1 ~  Camp Taylor  Vol. 1, no. 1, (Jan. 09, 1935)  Vol. 1, no. 2, (Feb. 13, 1935)	MF 6034 no. 2 ~  Camp Hadman  Vol. 1, no. 3, (Feb. 20, 1935)  Vol. 1, no. 33, (Sept. 25, 1935).

June and July 1935  Miss Ruth M. BRYANT, Maryville, Missouri

4th July 1936  Swope Park, Kansas City, Missouri

See: 4th July 1936, Swope Park - Photo Album

Marriage Mr. HENRY & Miss BRYANT  Mr. M.V. "Red" HENRY, age 23yrs 3rd Son of Levi Judson HENRY & Mother: Lola STINGLEY, of Ravenwood, MO. and  Miss Ruth M. BRYANT, age 20yrs 5th Daughter of Edmond H. BRYANT (dec'd) & Mother: Allie BRUCE of Maryville, MO., were married in Atchison, Kansas on the 25th, Oct. 1936,. [Need M-Bk.#, Page #] ...prs

Mrs Allie (Bruce) BRYANT of this city announces the marriage of her daughter, Miss Ruth Margaret BRYANT, to Maurice HENRY, son of Mr. and Mrs. L.J. HENRY, of Ravenwood. The wedding took place in Atchison, Kansas October 25, 1936, Judge F.P. WERTZ officiating. The attendants were Miss Lucille WILSON of Maryvilly, MO. and Paul SARRETT, of Kansas City, MO.  Mrs HENRY graduated from Maryville high school in 1934 and also Cook's Commercial College in 1935. For the past eight months she has been employed at the Standard Poland-China Record Association.  Mr. HENRY is a graduate of the Ravenwood High School, class of 1932. He is engaged in farming. After March 1st, 1936, the couple will be at home on a farm Northwest of Ravenwood.

Martha Lucille HENRY, born 07th Nov 1937 ~ d. 26 Jun 2006, 68yrs!

Martha Lucille HENRY, was named after Ruth M. (Bryant) HENRY best friend Martha Lucille Wilson. <---My Mother!

Paul Howard HENRY, born 19th May 1938 ~ d. March 1940, 22mths!

Paul Howard HENRY, was named after H.V. "Red" best friend Paul R. Sarrett, Sr. <---My Father!

Maurice V. "Red" HENRY, Inducted Army Air Force ~ 08th June 1942  Basic Training: Aerial Gunnery School, Harlington, Texas  Got his Silver Wings & Sergeant Rating on 13th Mar 1943

With the outbreak of World War II in Europe in September 1940, the U.S. Government saw the need to expedite military readiness. It would create a military airfield in Harlingen. The city voted a $105,000 bond issue to acquire 960 acres to be leased to the War Department for 24 years and upon which the field would be constructed. Fifteen farmhouses and buildings on the site were removed, but one building was left in place to become the field office. Gen. Gerald C. Brant, the commander of Central Flying Command who first visited Harlingen in early 1941, also ordered that two existing palm groves and orange trees be retained. On June 30, 1941 a contract was let for Morgan and Zachary, El Paso and Laredo builders, to start the military airfield construction. The mission of Harlingen Army Airfield was to train aerial gunners. The Harlingen Army Gunnery School received its first assigned cadre in August 1941. Its primary mission, with an initial student load of 600, was that of training aerial gunnery students in a five week (extended to six weeks in 1943) training program. Over 48,000 soldiers were trained until the school, one of three such types in the country, closed in 1945. It was initially assigned to the AAF Gulf Coast Training Center as a flexible gunnery school, with the 78th Service Group being designated as the first host organization at the new airfield.  Source: Harlingen Air Force Base, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Out-Of-Wedlock" with 20 year old Miss Blanche A. SMITH,

While home on leave Maurice V. "Red" HENRY, conceived in April 1943 with:  20 year old Miss Blanche A. SMITH,  (1st Dau of Fred E. SMITH & Mother: Fanny (Unknown), of Maryville, MO.)  b. 05 Aug 1922, Maryville, Nodaway Co., Missouri  d. __ Feb 1996, age 73yrs, 6mths, & _? days, Pittsford, Monroe Co., New York  Buried: Cemetery Unknown (to me)  She later married to: Mr. CRABTREE,  They had 1 Daughter born to this Union:       1.1.1.4.3 Dau: Maralyn Jane SMITH, b. 1944, MO. - d. 2010, 66yrs NY., m. Mr WHIPPLE, ?Ch.

544th Squadron, 384th Bombardment Group, Army Air Forces  The crew of B-17 "Barrel House Bessie", #42-5051.  26th November, 1943
Major William F. GILMORE,	Pilot
2/LT Donald S. MORRISON,	Co-Pilot
2/LT Floyd H. OHLSON, age 26yrs	Navigator  b. 04 Jul 1917,  d. 02 Jul 2009, 92yrs  m. Miss Caroline Jane Ohlson (1920-1991)   bd. Mememorial #49829874, Snelling National Cemetery  Hennepin County, Minnesota
2/LT Earl C. MASON,	Bombardier
S/SGT Maurice V. HENRY, age 29yrs	Top Turret Gunner, MIA (Missing In Action!)  b. 14 Jul 1913, Ravenwood, Nodaway Co., MO.  d. 26 Nov 1943, age 30yrs, 4mths, & 12 days,  m. 1st *1936 Miss Ruth Margaret BRYANT, 2Ch.  m. 2nd c1943 Miss Blanche A. SMITH, 1Ch.   bd. Mememorial #65481014, Oak Lawn Cem., Ravenwood, MO.
T/SGT Nathan STREISFELD,	Radio Operator
S/SGT Donald L. ENGWER, age 21yrs	Ball Turret Gunner  b. 13 Sep 1921,  d. 10 Feb 1973, 51yrs  m. Eleanore J Engwer (1924-2007)   Buried: Mememorial #625569, Fort Snelling National Cemetery Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota
S/SGT James F. BUCHER,	Waist Gunner, KIA (Killed In Action!)  b. Unknown  d. 26 Nov 1943, crew of B-17 'Barrel House Bessie", AAF   bd. Mememorial #56288191, Cambridge American Cem. & Mem. Coton, Cambridgeshire, England
S/SGT Joseph E. BURGER,	Waist Gunner
S/SGT Albert M. SCHAMBER, age 32yrs	Tail Gunner, KIA (Killed In Action!)  b. 04 Sep 1911,  d. 26 Nov 1943, crew of B-17 'Barrel House Bessie", AAF   Buried: Mememorial #3498044, Fort Snelling National Cemetery Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota

The Saga of Barrel House Bessie  August 1989, Vol. 72, No. 8, By John L. Frisbee , Contributing Editor

There were many crises that day on the way back from Bremen, and each time T/Sgt. Maurice HENRY came through. Bremen, in northwest Germany, stood high on the Eighth Air Force's target list. It was Germany's second largest port, the site of submarine pens, and the center of an industrial complex that produced aircraft, ships, trucks, ordnance, and petroleum products. With so many prime targets, it was well defended by guns and fighters. Bremen was no milk run, especially in late 1943 when there was only a handful of P-38 and P-51 long-range escort fighters.  On Nov. 26, 1943, the Eighth launched 633 aircraft in its largest strike up to that time. The 384th Bombardment Group, commanded by Col. Dale O. Smith, was assigned targets in the Bremen area. The group had been there before. Smith (now a retired major general) led the mission on a bitterly cold day with layer after layer of heavy stratus clouds.  Among the 384th B-17s was Barrel House Bessie, piloted by Maj. William GILMORE. His flight engineer and top turret gunner, 29-year-old T/Sgt. Maurice HENRY, emerged as one of the heroes of the mission. Because of conflicting reports, the exact sequence of events that befell Bessie and in which T/Sgt Maurice HENRY played a key role is impossible to recount with certain accuracy, though there is agreement on T/Sgt HENRY's acts of heroism.  In the target area, the group encountered intense flak and from 150 to 200 enemy fighters. Short of the target, "Bessie" sustained extensive structural damage and the loss of No. 3 engine. "Bessie" was unable to keep up with the formation. GILMORE ordered the bombs to be jettisoned, but one, fully armed, hung up in the bomb rack. T/Sgt HENRY left the top turret, went into the open bomb bay at 40-degrees below zero, and freed the bomb.  The fighter attacks continued, and an incendiary shell started a fire in the cockpit. Again T/Sgt HENRY left his turret to put out the fire, though he was almost overcome by the acrid smoke. In the interval between these events, T/Sgt HENRY is credited with shooting down one enemy fighter and damaging another.  Diving into the clouds for protection, "Bessie" broke out at 6,000 feet directly over the city of Emden, where she came under heavy attack by antiaircraft guns. By this time the oxygen and electrical systems and all instruments were knocked out, a quarter of the nose shot away, the flight controls and all four engines damaged. Once over the icy waters of the North Sea with more than 200 miles between Bessie and her home base at Grafton Underwood, T/Sgt HENRY helped the pilots restart the No. 3 engine, which ran only spasmodically. Then No. 4 quit, and its propeller couldn't be feathered. Ditching was imminent. T/Sgt HENRY made repeated trips through the open bomb bay passage to supervise the jettisoning of equipment. Finally Nos. 1 and 2 engines, which had been running erratically, failed.  The wake of a ship was sighted in the distance. GILMORE headed for it with little hope of success. "Bessie", now an oversized glider, was losing altitude too rapidly. Since the radio was out, T/Sgt HENRY found a Very pistol and fired flares in hopes that the ship's crew would see them.  T/Sgt HENRY next assembled the crew in the radio compartment and prepared them for ditching about 40 miles from the coast of England in rough seas. When the B-17 hit the surface, water poured in through the damaged nose and the open bomb bay, breaking "Bessie" in two just aft of the radio compartment. T/Sgt HENRY directed the other crew members in inflating and launching an undamaged liferaft and helped those who couldn't get aboard the raft into the water. He was last to leave the sinking B-17, but only after he had searched for and found the emergency radio.  T/Sgt HENRY was last seen plunging into the icy water, still clutching the radio. Before he could fight his way to the liferaft, he was swept away by the waves and lost. Ten minutes later an RAF rescue boat pulled one man from the water and took aboard six from the raft. Lost with Sgt HENRY were tail gunner SSgt. Albert SCHAMBER and one of the waist gunners, SSgt. James BUCHER.  T/Sgt. Maurice HENRY was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor, for his heroism and "selfless devotion to other members of the crew." "Barrel House Bessie" didn't make it home, but that she got as far as she did with no greater loss of life was due in large part to T/Sgt HENRY's leadership, professional competence, and heroism. "He was," said GILMORE, "an example to the entire crew."  Published August 1989. For presentation on this web site, some Valor articles have been amended for accuracy.

Maryville Daily Forum, Maryville, Missouri  Issue: Wednesday Evening, December 8, 1943, (pg. 1, Col. 7)  Sgt. Maurice HENRY Missing in Action In European Area! <---Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo!

Mr. and Mrs. L. J. HENRY of Ravenwood received word today from the War Department that their son, Tech. Sgt. Maurice V. HENRY, engineer gunner in the army air corps, had been missing in action over European territory since November 26. It was on this date that the Eighth air forces struck in Northwest Germany. Sgt. HENRY was inducted into service June 8, 1942, and received his basic training at the Harlington, Texas, aerial gunnery school. He received his silver wings and sergeant rating March 13. Sgt. HENRY received his aerial mechanic training at the Lincoln, Neb., air base. Besides his parents, he has a wife, [Did NOT name her] who resides in Maryville with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred E. Smith; three brothers,      Norvil HENRY, of the Navy air corps, who is stationed in Florida; and      Eldon HENRY, of Ravenwood, and      L. J. HENRY, of Ravenwood, and one sister,      Mrs. Gerald WEST, of Maryville, MO.

Parents received "Congressional Medal of Honor"

HEADQUARTERS 384TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) ARMY AIR FORCES Office of the Group Commander, APO 634  Dated: 27 December 1943  SUBJECT: Commendation  TO: T/Sgt Maurice v HENRY ~ 544th Bombardment Squadron, 354th Bombardment Group (h), AAF

1. Although you failed to return from our last mission over Germany on 26 November 1943, I take great pleasure in being able to recommend you for the Congressional Medal of Honor, for valor above and beyond the call of duty, The example of skillful airmanship you displayed on this mission was a credit to yourself and the group. It is through such acts that we are able to continually press home our blows to the enemy and assures us of ultimate victory. I, as well as the entire 384th Bombardment Group (H) AAF, am proud of you for your courageous actions. 2. The following citation was attached to your recommendation: For valor above and beyond the call of duty while participating in an operational mission over Germany on 26 November 1943. T/Sgt. HENRY's display of courage, coolness, skill and selfnagation in the presence of great hazard and unceritainty, with utter disregard of his own personal safety, made possible the rescue of seven menbers of his crew although by his actions he is missing and presumed to have perished. Approaching the target on its bombing run, T/Sgt HENRY's aircraft suffered an engine failure in two outboard engines and began to fall behind the formation. The crew jettisoned the bombs to lighten the load, and intercept the formation, but one fully armed bomb hung up in the racks. Despite intense attacks by enemy aircraft, evasive action, and the extreme cold, T/Sgt HENRY entered the open bomb bay and released the bomb. About that time the number three engine was set on fire and it was decided to run for a cloud bank some distance away. At this point. T/Sgt. HENRY destroyed one enemy air-craft and damaged another from his position in the top turret. Despite violent evasive action. the enemy fighter attacks increased in intensity and many damaging hits were made on the aircraft. The oxygen system was shot out, the pilot aileron control and both pilot and co-pilots rudder control were destroyed and the entire electrical system including instruments and turret control were made inoperative. An incendiary shell struck the left side of the cockpit, slightly woundihg the pilot and setting the cockpit afire. T/Sgt. HENRY extinguished the fire alghough ill and vomiting from the acrid smoke. The enemy fighters were evaded in the clouds, but the aircraft was losing altitude and due to the failure of the inter-communications system T/Sgt HENRY made repeated trips through the ship to carry out orders of the pilot and to supervise the jettisoning of equipment to lighten the load. Breaking out of the clouds at 6,000 feet directly over the city of Emden, the aircraft was immediately engaged and further damaged by heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, but by strong eavsive action, escaped to the sea. By this time, the number four engine was completely cut out and it was impossible to feather the prope11or. Number three engine had been started again but was giving only spasmodic power. Shortly thereafter, both numher one and mumher two engines cut out and T/Sgt HENRY quickly and with great presence of mind assembled the crew in the radio compartment and prepered them for citching. All radio equiptment had been destroyed and it was impoasible to transmit an S.O.S. A small boat was seen in the sea and T/Sgt HENRY immediately produced a flare and Very pistol with which to signal it. With no power, the pilot landed in the genera1 area of the surface vessel, the aircraft breaktng in two just after of the radio compartment. T/Sgt HENRY assisted the other members of the crew to leave the ship and was himself the last to abandon it. renouncing all regard for his own survival. He delayed his exit further by searching for and finding the emergency radio which he took with him into the icy water. Due to the battle damage to the life rafts, the heavy swe11 of the waves, and the shock of entering the extremely cold water, members of the crew could do nothing to assist one another. T/Sgt HENRY, still grasping the emergency radio which he considered vitally necessary to rescue, and despite his valiant struggle, was washed away and lost."      L/S Dale O. SMITH,      Colonel, Air Corps.      Commanding.

The "Medal of Honor" was given to his folks.  Levi Judson HENRY (b. 1879 ~d. 1950) & Mother: Lola M. (Stingley) HENRY (b. 1884 ~ d. 1966)  The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President in the name of Congress, and is conferred only upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States." Due to the nature of its selection criteria, it is often awarded "posthumously", with more than half of all awards since 1941 given to individuals who were deceased. As the award citation includes the phrase "in the name of Congress", it is sometimes erroneously called the "Congressional Medal of Honor". The official title, however, is simply the "Medal of Honor.  The Medal of Honor is presented directly to the recipient (or for posthumous awards, to the next of kin) by the President of the United States on behalf of the US Congress, a procedure and ceremony intended to represent and recognize the gratitude not just of the American government, but of the American people as a whole. Due to its honored status, the medal is afforded special protection under U.S. law.  The Medal of Honor is one of only two military neck order awards issued by the United States, and is the only neck order that is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces. The Commander's Degree of the Legion of Merit is a neck order of the US, but it is only authorized for issue to foreign dignitaries.

Daughter received "Distinguished Service Cross"

HEADQUARTERS 384TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) ARMY AIR FORCES Office of the Group Commander, APO 634  Dated: 24 January, 1944  SUBJECT: Commendation      TO: Miss Martha L. HENRY, Ravenwood. Mo.      Dear Miss HENRY:      Enclosed you will find the Commendation and Citation from Colonel Dale O. SMITH pertaining to your father. Technical Sergeant Maurice V. HENRY, who is missing in action since November 26, 1943.      The Commendation very fully explains the situation concerning the action on the day of November 26, 1943. Such soldiers as T/Sgt Maurice V. HENRY, your father. make it possible for us to continually hit the enemy and hit him hard.      Sgt. HENRY was one of the best soldiers this Squadron has ever had. His deeds and actions of this day and other days revealed his true sense of duty. Myself with the rest of the Squadron have been very glad to serve with your father.      Very truly yours,      R. L. Lindsey, Captain, Air Corps

***** CITATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS ***** Technical Sergeant MAURICE V. HENRY. Serial Number: 37205337 For extraordinary heroism in action in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, while serving as Top Turret Gunner on a heavy bombardment mission over Germany. on 26 November 1943. After Sergeant HENRY's aircraft suffered an engine failure of the two outboard engines upon approaching the target, and one of the bombs hung in the racks, Sergeant HENRY went into the bomb-bay and released the fully armed bomb. From his gun position, Sergeant HENRY destroyed one enemy air-craft and damaged another. During the ensuing struggle to return the crippled bomber and its crew to England, Sergeant HENRY also extinguished a fire in the cockpit supervised the jettisoning of equipment to lighten the load and when ditching became inevitable, assembled the crew in the radio compartment. The aircraft broke in two just aft, of the radio compartment immediately on striking the water. Sergeant HENRY assisted other members of the crew to leave ths shop and was himself, the last to abandon ship, renouncing all regard for his own survival. He delayed his exit further to find the emergency radio which he considered vital to the rescue of the crew. Still grasping the emergency radio, Sergeant HENRY, despite his valiant struggle, was washed away and lost in the rough sea before he could reach the life rafts. His extraordinary heroism and selfless devotion to the other members of the crew reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant HENRY and the Armed Forces of the United States

Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial (Also known as: Madingley American Cemetery Cambridge) Highway A-428, Cambridge Rd, Coton, Cambridgeshire, England
Maurice V. HENRY, b. 14 Jul 1913, Ravenwood, MO. d. 26 Nov 1943, age 30yrs, MIA (Missing In Action) Downed B-17 "Barrel House Bessie", <---See: Find A Grave Memorial# 56290633 [Created by: CWGC/ABMC, Aug 06, 2010]
<---See: FAGrave.com GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 52.21712, Longitude: 0.05529 <---Google.com Map!    GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 52.21613, Longitude: 0.05373,

Oak Lawn Cemetery Ravenwood, Nodaway County, Missouri, USA
Maurice V. HENRY, b. 14 Jul 1913, Ravenwood, MO. d. 26 Nov 1943, age 30yrs, MIA (Missing In Action) Downed B-17 "Barrel House Bessie", <---See: Find A Grave Memorial# 65487404 [Created by: Mokennehan, Feb 10, 2011 ]		Paul H. HENRY, b. 19 may 1938, Ravenwood, MO. d. __ Mar 1940, age 22mths <---See: Find A Grave Memorial# 93292077 [Created by: Paul R Sarrett, Jr, Jul 08, 2012]
<---See: FAGrave.com GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 40.36057�N, Longitude: -94.66882�W <---Google.com Map!    GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 40.36057�N, Longitude: -94.66882�W

Maurice V. HENRY Date of death: Missing in Action/Presumed KIA 384TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) ARMY AIR FORCES Office of the Group Commander, APO 634  Dated: 24 January, 1944	Honored by: Charles Osborn, Friend	Honored by: NARS-War Dept.	Honored by: NARS-War Dept.

Correspondence with Ruth & Martha Lucille HENRY

1987 1988 1989

Obituary, Earthman Funeral Directors & Cemeteries  Publication Date: June 28, 2006  Mrs Martha Lucille (Henry) McELVEEN <---Click on Thumbnail for Funeral homepage!

Martha Henry McELVEEN, 67, of Baytown, TX went to be with her Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ June 26, 2006. She was born in Ravenwood, Missouri November 7, 1938. She enjoyed her family and she loved cooking sweet potato pie, oatmeal cookies and apple pies. Martha was a very giving person. She was preceded in death by her son: Maurice McELVEEN. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Isham Finley McELVEEN; 2 sons and 1 daughter-in-law:      Marcus and Nancy McELVEEN of Willis, [Montgomery Co.] TX.      Charles B. McELVEEN of Baytown, [Harris Co.] TX; 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at Earthman Funeral Home with an evening service being held at 6:00 p.m. with Mr. Richard King officiating. Graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 29, 2006 at Rockport Cemetery in Rockport, [Aransas Co.] TX. Arrangements are under the direction of Earthman Funeral Directors. 3919 Garth Road, Baytown, TX.

Possible record Problem!  In this obituary is says that Marcus is dec'd, but list him with wife Nancy living in Willis, TX. and no mention of Son Joseph McELVEEN?

These records are part of the "Genealogy Computer Package" *** PC-PROFILE *** Volume - II. Sarratt/Sarrett/Surratt Family Profile© Compiled and self Published in Oct. 31, 1989 by Paul R. Sarrett, Jr. with the assistance of my late mother Mrs. M. Lucille (WILSON) SARRETT (1917-1987) These 1989 "Work-Books" were compiled by listing the various families, born, married, died, and a history of that family branch. In 1996 I started "Up-Loading" this material on the now called SFA© Series...prs

Would like to exchange any information on these SARRATT / SARRETT / SURRATT
Families, contact me at:

E-Mail: <---Paul R. Sarrett, Jr., President of SFA©