Lofton R.

Henderson
Lofton R. Henderson (May 24, 1903 June 4, 1942)
was a marine aviator in the United States Marine Corps
during World War II. He was the Commanding Ocer
of Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241)
at the Battle of Midway and is recognized as the rst Marine Aviator to die during that battle while leading his
squadron to attack the Japanese carrier forces.

believed he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his

country.
In addition to the Navy Cross, Major Henderson was also
eligible for the following awards Purple Heart (posthumously)
Combat Action Ribbon (posthumously)

Biography

Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal

Yangtze Service Medal

Lofton Henderson was born on May 24, 1903 in Lorain,

Ohio.

Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal

He 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).

American Defense Service Medal

Asiatic-Pacic Campaign Medal with star (posthumously)

Major Henderson was posthumously awarded the Navy

Cross for his heroism at the historic Battle of Midway,
World War Two Victory Medal (posthumously)
one of the decisive battles of history. While leading 16
Marine Corps SBD-2s in a glide bombing attack on the
aircraft carrier Hiry, his left wing burst into ames as he 2.2 Other
began his nal approach. Henderson continued the attack
and perished as his plane dived toward the enemy carrier. In August 1942, the partially constructed Japanese aireld on Guadalcanal was captured at the outset of a sixmonth campaign to expel the enemy from both Guadalcanal and its sister island Tulagi. It was named Henderson
2 Honors
Field (now Honiara International Airport) in his honor.

2.1

In 1945, the Gearing class destroyer USS Henderson

(DD-785) was named after him.

Navy Cross citation

HENDERSON, LOFTON R.
The 21st Street Bridge in his hometown of Lorain, Ohio
Major, U.S. Marine Corps
was renamed the Lofton Henderson Memorial Bridge.
Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241),
Marine Aircraft Group 22 (MAG-22), Naval Air Station,
Midway
3 See also
Date of Action: June 4, 1942
Citation:
The Navy Cross is presented to Lofton R. Hender- 4 References
son, Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Squadron Commander of Marine Scout-Bombing
This article incorporates text from the public doSquadron TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (VMSB- 241),
main Dictionary of American Naval Fighting
during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle
Ships.
of Midway on June 4, 1942. With utter disregard for his
own personal safety, Major Henderson, with keen judg Navy Cross Awards to members of the U.S.
ment and courageous aggressiveness in the face of strong
Marines in World War II. homeofheroes.com.
enemy ghter opposition, led his squadron in an attack
Archived from the original on 2006-08-29. Rewhich contributed materially to the defeat of the enemy.
trieved 2006-07-15..
He was subsequently reported as missing in action. It is
1

External links
Hough, LtCol Frank O., USMCR; Ludwig, Maj.
Verle E., USMC and Henry I. Shaw, Jr. Chapter
4: Midway Versus the Japanese, 45 June 1942.
U.S Marine Corps in World War II, Volume I: Pearl
Harbor to Guadalcanal. pp. 221225. Retrieved
2006-07-15. Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)

EXTERNAL LINKS

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

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