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Lofton R. Henderson (24 May 1903 – 4 June 1942) was a naval aviator in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He was the commanding officer of VMSB-241 at the Battle of Midway and is recognized as the first Marine aviator to die during war. Henderson was born in Lorain, Ohio on 24 May 1903 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1926. Prior to World War II, he served in China, and various Caribbean stations, and on aircraft carriers ''Langley'' (CV-1), ''Ranger'' (CV-4), and ''Saratoga'' (CV-3). Major Henderson was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism at the historic Battle of Midway, one of the decisive battles of history in which the leadership of the fleet commander and the valor of a handful of pilots changed the course of the war. While his plane was leading 16 Marine Corps planes in a glide bombing attack on the aircraft carrier ''Hiryū'', the left wing burst into flames as he began his final approach. Henderson continued the attack and perished as his plane dived toward the enemy carrier.
Navy Cross citation HENDERSON, LOFTON R. Major, U.S. Marine Corps Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241), Marine Air Group 22 (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway Date of Action: June 4, 1942 Citation: The Navy Cross is presented to Lofton R. Henderson, Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Squadron Commander of Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (VMSB- 241), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, Major Henderson, with keen judgment and courageous aggressiveness in the face of strong enemy fighter opposition, led his squadron in an attack which contributed materially to the defeat of the enemy. He was subsequently reported as missing it action. It is believed he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. In memory In August 1942, the captured Japanese airfield on Guadalcanal was named Henderson Field in his honor. In 1945, the Gearing class destroyer USS ''Henderson'' (DD-785) was named in his honor. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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