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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Sergeant · U.S. Army

Joseph Henderson

Sergeant Joseph Henderson, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on July 2, 1909 at Patian Island, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection.

Philippine Insurrection July 2, 1909

Sergeant Joseph Henderson was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 2, 1909 at Patian Island, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with Troop B, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Henderson was about 40 years old.

One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 23, 1912, 3 years after the action — presented by Pres. William H. Taft. He later rose to the rank of First Sergeant.

Henderson was born in December 1869 in Leavenworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas. Henderson died on December 19, 1938, at the age of about 69. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Henderson is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 31 credited to Kansas.

Official Medal of Honor citation

While in action against hostile Moros, voluntarily advanced alone, in the face of a heavy fire, to within about 15 yards of the hostile position and refastened to a tree a block and tackle used in checking the recoil of a mountian gun.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Places

  • Born: Fort Leavenworth — map
  • Died: Fort Leavenworth — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Kansas →

Timeline

  1. December 1869
    Born in Leavenworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas
  2. July 2, 1909
    Act of valor — Patian Island, Philippine Islands
    Age about 40. Troop B, 6th U.S. Cavalry
  3. November 23, 1912
    Medal of Honor presented
    Presented by Pres. William H. Taft
  4. December 19, 1938
    Died
    Age about 69.
  5. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

Joseph Henderson (December 1869 – December 19, 1938) was a United States Army Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Moro Uprising in 1909. He later obtained the rank of Master Sergeant. Sergeant Henderson was awarded his medal on 23 November 1912, for the same action as Lieutenant Archie Miller. Henderson joined the army from Fort Leavenworth in March 1899 and retired on May 13, 1924.

From the Wikipedia article “Joseph Henderson (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on July 2, 1909

Archie Miller First Lieutenant · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1909

More Philippine Insurrection recipients from Kansas

Frederick Funston Sr. Colonel · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1899 EW Edward White Private · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1899 WT William Beattie Trembley Private · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1899 Arthur Medworth Ferguson First Lieutenant · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1899 JH John A. Huntsman Sergeant · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1899
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.