Henderson, Bruce Gilette

BRUCE GILETTE HENDERSON of Kenmore, New York, on February 15th, was killed by enemy action while serving on the India-Burma Front. Bruce was in charge of a jeep ambulance and was working at a forward post near the banks of the Irrawaddy. Just before dawn, on the morning of the 15th, the Japanese attacked the position in superior force, inflicting many casualties and forcing the remnants of the company to withdraw. During the operations, Bruce was shot through the chest. He was loved and admired by everyone in his section, as he was always cheerful and helpful to those he worked with and those he worked for. His Commanding Officer said, " ...one feels that, having known such a man, one can never lose heart."

__ AFS Letters No. 35

On the afternoon of the 14th, Bruce Gilette Henderson replaced Dodds with the same company so that the latter could return to Section HQ. That night, during a Japanese counterattack, Henderson was killed. Several versions of this tragic accident were current, some of them quite lurid in detail. The following is the report of the CSM, R. G. Berry: "At 0515 hours on 15 February we were attacked by a large force of Japs. [Henderson] was sleeping near his jeep, about 15 yards inside the perimeter. The section that was covering the jeeps had severe casualties, and several of the enemy entered the box. [Henderson] attempted to reach the Command Post. After moving about 10 yards from his jeep, he was hit in the chest by a burst from a machine gun on our left flank. In the excitement that followed he was bayonetted in his left side by one of the Japs; who were in the box."

__ George Rock. Chapter 17. "Victory 4. India-Burma (November 1944-1945)" History of the American Field Service, 1920-1955. New York 1956.