James MacKenzie Henderson entered the National Guard of Pennsylvania as a private in the ranks. Due to his strict adherence to duty and his natural likes for the soldier’s life, he won rapid promotion. He held the ranks in succession of Corporal, Sergeant, First Sergeant and Second Lieutenant; When the National Guard was called for the Mexican Border service in 1916 he was promoted to First Lieutenant of Company "D", 16^th Pennsylvania Infantry. He served faithfully throughout this tour of duty and when the company returned to Oil City he was elected Captain of the Company, the position he held when the National Guard was called to duty in the World War.

There was no better soldier in camp or in France than James M. Henderson. The writer being with him knows whereof he speaks. "Jim" as he was known to his men, won their admiration by his strict attention to duty, by his military bearing, and by his friendship. A pal with his men, yet he exacted strict obedience. He did it in such an honest and soldierly manner that his men deemed it an honor to serve under him.

So it was a sad day in the lives of the men of Company "D" when on July 25, 1918, their beloved Commander was instantly killed by a direct hit of an enemy high powered shell. It was during the fighting near the foret de fere near Vente Jean Guillaume, to the east of the town of Epieds, in the open near Courpoil while leading his men to the attack of the Germans entrenched in the town. Evidently hearing the shell coming he dodged for a shell hole but the shrapnel was a direct hit. Only part of his body was found, and the fact that he wore new shoes aided in the identification.

In writing home sometime later, Colonel Rickards, Commander of the 112^th Infantry voiced the opinion of all the men who knew Captain "Jim", when he said; "We have lost one of our best liked and most efficient of the 112^th Officers."

Such was the man in whose memory this post is named. An AMERICAN, a soldier in life, he died as a soldier leading his men into battle.