Major Henderson Incident
Encyclopedia
The Major Henderson incident occurred on June 30, 1975. A dozen North Korea
n guards and reporters assaulted US Army Major
W. D. Henderson, a United Nations Command (UNC) security officer in the Joint Security Area
(JSA), injuring him seriously. Henderson was trampled on by the North Koreans and suffered a fractured larynx
before he was rescued by United Nations Command guards.
As Major Henderson was sitting on a bench located outside of T2, then the UNC Joint Duty Officer office, a North Korean journalist, who at the time was known for instigating fights, approached Henderson and ordered Henderson to move out of his way. When Henderson did not comply, the reporter spat on him. Henderson stood up and the North Korean reporter struck him. Henderson returned the punch. Several North Korean guards then attacked Henderson, dragged him to the ground and began beating and kicking him. Henderson suffered a crushed larynx and was medically evacuated
by helicopter.
Henderson survived, continued his career, and later retired from the United States Army.
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n guards and reporters assaulted US Army Major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
W. D. Henderson, a United Nations Command (UNC) security officer in the Joint Security Area
Joint Security Area
The Joint Security Area is the only portion of the Korean Demilitarized Zone where South and North Korean forces stand face-to-face. It is often called the "Truce Village" in both the media and various military accounts...
(JSA), injuring him seriously. Henderson was trampled on by the North Koreans and suffered a fractured larynx
Larynx
The larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume...
before he was rescued by United Nations Command guards.
As Major Henderson was sitting on a bench located outside of T2, then the UNC Joint Duty Officer office, a North Korean journalist, who at the time was known for instigating fights, approached Henderson and ordered Henderson to move out of his way. When Henderson did not comply, the reporter spat on him. Henderson stood up and the North Korean reporter struck him. Henderson returned the punch. Several North Korean guards then attacked Henderson, dragged him to the ground and began beating and kicking him. Henderson suffered a crushed larynx and was medically evacuated
MEDEVAC
Medical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...
by helicopter.
Henderson survived, continued his career, and later retired from the United States Army.