Ships
- USS Princeton (CVL-23) Captain from 25 February 1943 · Relieved on 26 February 1944
George Raymond Henderson was born on 6 July 1893 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and graduated from the University of Maine in 1916, where he belonged to Theta Chi. On 17 July 1917 he enlisted in the Naval Reserve Flying Corps as a landsman and aviation machinist's mate. He took ground school at MIT and flight training at Pensacola, and was designated Naval Aviator No. 909 before being commissioned an ensign. He was one of only two World War II naval aviator admirals who rose from seaman to admiral.
He transferred to the regular Navy as a lieutenant in 1922. On 25 October 1924, at the Naval Air Show at Bay Shore Park, Maryland, he set ten world seaplane records in a PN-7 flying boat for speed, distance and endurance. He became chief pilot of the Navy Test Board and on 14 April 1927 set a world altitude record of 22,178 feet for Class C-2 seaplanes. He then flew with Torpedo Squadron 3 and served in Lexington, the Bureau of Aeronautics and Langley.
In February 1943 he became the first commanding officer of the new light carrier Princeton and led her for a year of Pacific operations. During the Korean War, as a flag officer, he commanded Naval Air Bases, Japan, which kept the aviation units in the Japan-Korea area supplied. From May to August 1951 he commanded Carrier Division 5 and Task Force 77, flying his flag in the next Princeton (CV-37) and striking enemy supply lines and supporting the troops ashore. He later commanded the naval air bases of the 11th and 12th Naval Districts and, in 1953, the 11th Naval District itself.
He retired on 1 August 1954 after 37 years and three wars and was advanced to vice admiral for his combat awards. His decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, six Legions of Merit and the Purple Heart. He died on 29 November 1964, at 71.