Medal of Honor: MM2 George Francis Henrechon - Bloomfield, CT

Medal of Honor Recipient

MM2 George Francis Henrechon

Bloomfield, CT

N 41° 48.932 W 072° 41.520

Quick Description: 

The grave of Medal of Honor recipient Machinist's Mate Second Class George Francis Henrechon is located in section F of Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, CT.

Long Description:

George Francis Henrechon was born in Hartford, CT on November 22, 1885. He enlisted into the Navy from California and was stationed aboard the gunboat USS Pampanga as part of U.S. Navy "Mosquito Fleet" assigned to patrol Philippine waters and contain the native Moros from insurrection.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism on September 24, 1911 at at Mundang, Basilan Island, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. His citation reads:

While attached to the U.S.S. Pampang, Henrechon was one of a shore party moving in to capture Mundang, Philippine Islands, on 24 September 1911. Ordered to take station within 100 yards of a group of nipa huts close to the trail, Henrechon advanced and stood guard as the leader and his scout party first searched the surrounding deep grasses, then moved into the open area before the huts. Instantly enemy Moros opened point-blank fire on the exposed men and approximately 20 Moros rushed the small group from inside the huts and from other concealed positions. Henrechon, responding to the calls for help, was one of the first on the scene. When his rifle jammed after the first shot, he closed in with rifle, using it as a club to break the stock over the head of the nearest Moro and then, drawing his pistol, started in pursuit of the fleeing outlaws. Henrechon's aggressive charging of the enemy under heavy fire and in the face of great odds contributed materially to the success of the engagement.

George Francis Henrechon died on August 16, 1929 in Hartford, CT at age 43. He is buried in a family plot in Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield, CT. The family plot contains a large headstone inscribed HENRECHON. The back contains the names and dates of six family members but not that of George F. Henrechon. Behind and to the right of the family headstone is a rectangular granite grave marker set at ground level that marks the grave of George F. Henrechon. It is inscribed:

GEORGE F HENRECHON

MEDAL OF HONOR

MM2 US NAVY

PHILIPPINES

NOV 22 1885 AUG 16 1929