Gold Star Award for Henderson
A gold star for bravery on Luzon as a result of action a day after V-J day has been awarded to Wendell Carl Henderson, S-2c, of this city, whose wife has been notified.
The Webster City sailor, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Henderson, was one of only nine survivors of a force of 47 men who were ordered to go into a beach sector and hold it.
The men, armed with carbines, evidently ran into an ambush of Jap machine gunners, and Henderson and eight others were the only ones to escape.
Henderson was on Luzon only four days and had just arrived there at a naval base when called into action on the beach. He has been in service since March 31 and was sent overseas in July.
The Webster City sailor writes that he is now on an L.S.T. which has been hauling troops and equipment to Japan. He reports that the Japanese waters are still infused with mines, making shipping dangerous.
Henderson expects to get his discharge and be home by Christmas.
Source: Webster City Freeman, Webster City, IA - Oct. 18, 1945
Wendell Carl Henderson was born May 11, 1922 to James and Mary Henderson. He died June 14, 1956 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Seaman Second Class Henderson served with the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS LST 25, hauling troops and equipment to Japan.
His Obituary: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - June 15, 1956
Rites Monday For Highview APC Manager
Wendell C. Henderson Dies as Result of Auto-Truck Crash
Injuries suffered Thursday noon in a car-truck crash south of Stanhope proved fatal Thursday afternoon for Wendell Henderson, 34, production manager for the Agriculture products Corp. plant at Highview.
State highway patrolmen reported his car was hit broadside by a pickup truck driven by Albert L. Sturtz, who operates a farm near Boone. Both Sturtz and a passenger in his truck, Clyde Williams of Boone, suffered minor injuries.
Henderson suffered deep head injuries and chest injuries in the mishap which occurred at an intersection of Highway 60 about eight miles south of Stanhope in Boone county. He was taken to the Boone county hospital where he died at 3:51 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Foster funeral home with the Rev. M. V. Chartain officiating with burial in Graceland cemetery.
Wendell Carl Henderson, son of James and Mary Henderson, was born May 11, 1922, on a farm six miles south of Webster City. He received his education in the Webster City schools and grew to young manhood in this community.
He was united in marriage May 11, 1939 to Miss Cecil Hill, and Mr. and Mrs. Henderson farmed in the Webster City and Stanhope communities for several years. He served in World War II, being in the navy and serving overseas.
In 1948, he was employed at the Agriculture Products Corp. at Highview and in 1949 became production manager, a position he has held since.
He is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters: Judith Rae, Donna, Mrs. Wendell Dale, Linda Jane and Michael Gene; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Henderson of Webster City; one sister, Mrs. Warren (Dorothy) Wolf of Webster City.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Sharon Lee.
Mr. Henderson attended Church of Christ in Webster City.
Source: ancestry.com
