Roll of Honor

Midshipmen entering the gates of Columbia University, circa 1943.


Henry John Dehnert, Jr.

  • School: Columbia College
  • Class Year: 1946
  • War: World War II
  • Date of Death: February 23, 1945

Private First Class Henry John Dehnert, Jr. 407th Infantry Regiment, 102nd Ozark Division, was killed in action near Linnich, Germany, Ruhr River on February 23, 1945, while establishing a bridgehead. A native of Queens, NY, he was a noted athlete over his two years at Columbia. He was a Varsity basketball player. a position which he came to rightfully as the the son of a famous professional (Celtics) basketball player, "Dutch Dehnert." He also played third base with the freshman baseball team. In May 1944, after the end of his sophomore year at Columbia, Dehnert enlisted at Camp Upton, in Yaphank, NY. He is buried at the American War Cemetery in Margraten, the Netherlands.

Navy review on campus, 1944-1945 Navy review on campus, 1944-1945

Tributes

Henry's nickname was Bucky. Bucky was like a big brother to me. He would take me to church and taught me to swim when I was six years old at Rockaway Beach where he was a life guard. Bucky was everyone's favorite. I remember Mom getting a call from Anna, who was Bucky's mom, to say that he had died, I remember that my mother was in hysterics most of the day after hearing the news. It didn't have that kind of impact on me because I was too young at the time. Now, I am 70 yrs old and Bucky is still always in my prayers. I still think of Bucky as my big brother. He was such a wonderful person, and it was a real tragedy to lose him.

- bill mcdermott

PFC Henry J Dehnert, Jr is buried at the American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. He is remembered online and by his local adopters.

- Teresa Hirsch

Is any of our information incorrect? You can submit corrections, additional photos, and/or tributes to uarchives@columbia.edu.