Corporal

B CO, 1ST BN, 503RD INFANTRY, 173RD ABN BDE, USARV

Army of the United States

DATE OF BIRTH: December 14, 1949

HOME OF RECORD:

Great Falls, Montana

AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 1

Silver Star

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS

DURING Vietnam War

Service: Army

Rank: Private First Class

Battalion: 1st Battalion

GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, I Field Force Vietnam, General Orders (November 3, 1970)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Mark Alan Hensley (ASN: US-516601038), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Hensley distinguished himself by gallant actions on 19 September 1970, while serving as a rifleman with Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate), on a combat operation in the Nui Mieu mountains in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, while searching for a Viet Cong Prisoner of War camp in an area known to contain enemy soldiers, Private Hensley's element spotted an enemy soldier at the entrance to a cave and took him under fire. Two of Private Hensley's fellow soldiers entered the cave and began a search. Once inside the cave they began receiving enemy sniper fire and one of them was immediately wounded. Private Hensley, realizing the urgency of the mission, completely disregarded his personal safety and volunteered to go into the cave in an attempt to save his buddies and successfully complete the mission. He was able to reach the wounded man but when he began to move him to the entrance of the cave the enemy again opened fire and he was mortally wounded. As a result of his heroic actions Private Hensley imparted a sense of urgency, purpose, and determination to the men of Company B that subsequently played a key role in the success of the mission. His valorous efforts in the face of enemy fire helped to disrupt the enemy operation and indirectly save the lives of many of his comrades. Private First Class Hensley's extraordinary heroism and profound concern for the lives of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.