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| Lt. Cmdr Richie Henderson served on all seven patrols of the USS Wahoo. Its wreck was found in 2006. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28091253/richie-neale-henderson http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/wahoo-navy-release.htm |
Richie Neale Henderson never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on July 21, 1918 in Maryland. His parents John and Mai were born in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively. His father worked as a farmer. RIchie had one older brother and two younger sisters. His parents divorced in November 1929.
Richie attended the US Naval Academy where he was captain of the basketball team. He graduated in the class of 1940. He steamed to the Pacific later that year to serve in the Pacific fleet. He survived the attack on Pearl Harbor on one of the battleships attacked by the Japanese (I wasn't able to find out which one.) He was sent back to the states where he trained as a submarine officer. Upon completion of his training he was assigned to the USS Wahoo, destined to be the most successful submarine in the US Pacific Fleet. He served on Wahoo for all seven of her patrols.
Wahoo is one of the best known American submarines of WW2. It has been the subject of many books. Once Dudley Morton became captain in 1943, Wahoo's five 1943 patrols sunk as many as nine enemy ships per patrol for a total of seventeen, far more than the average.
By September 1943 Richie had reached the rank of lieutenant commander for what would become the seventh and final war patrol for Wahoo. After sinking four enemy ships Wahoo was caught returning from the Sea of Japan and sunk by a combination of air and sea attacks on October 11, 1943. The wreck of Wahoo was located in 2006.
Lt. Cmdr. Henderson was posthumously awarded the Silver Star as well as a Gold Star.
His Silver Star citation reads as follows:
He assisted his Commanding Officer in penetrating dangerous, confined and patrolled enemy waters where he contributed to the known destruction of one important enemy vessel. Other damage inflicted upon the enemy by his submarine in this area is unknown since his vessel failed to return from this patrol and it is presumed that he gave his life for his country.
His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Thank you Lt. Henderson for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Richie.
Last year on this date I profiled Bataan Death March survivor Paul Basinger. You can read about Paul here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
He is remembered at the Honolulu Memorial, Courts of the Missing.
Last year on this date I profiled Bataan Death March survivor Paul Basinger. You can read about Paul here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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