Honoring Roy Benavidez, MOH

3 Responses to Honoring Roy Benavidez, MOH

1. Bear says:

   February 25, 2011 at 1:38 pm

   Medal of Honor Citation for:

   BENAVIDEZ, ROY P.

   Rank and Organization: Master Sergeant, Detachment B-56, 5th Special Forces Group, Republic of Vietnam. Place and Date: West of Loc Ninh on 2 May 1968. Entered Service at: Houston, Texas June 1955. Date and Place of Birth: 5 August 1935, DeWitt County, Cuero, Texas. Master Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Roy P. Benavidez United States Army, who distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely valorous actions on 2 May 1968 while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 2 May 1968, a 12-man Special Forces Reconnaissance Team was inserted by helicopters in a dense jungle area west of Loc Ninh, Vietnam to gather intelligence information about confirmed large-scale enemy activity. This area was controlled and routinely patrolled by the North Vietnamese Army. After a short period of time on the ground, the team met heavy enemy resistance, and requested emergency extraction. Three helicopters attempted extraction, but were unable to land due to intense enemy small arms and anti-aircraft fire. Sergeant Benavidez was at the Forward Operating Base in Loc Ninh monitoring the operation by radio when these helicopters returned to off-load wounded crewmembers and to assess aircraft damage. Sergeant Benavidez voluntarily boarded a returning aircraft to assist in another extraction attempt. Realizing that all the team members were either dead or wounded and unable to move to the pickup zone, he directed the aircraft to a nearby clearing where he jumped from the hovering helicopter, and ran approximately 75 meters under withering small arms fire to the crippled team. Prior to reaching the team’s position he was wounded in his right leg, face, and head. Despite these painful injuries, he took charge, repositioning the team members and directing their fire to facilitate the landing of an extraction aircraft, and the loading of wounded and dead team members. He then threw smoke canisters to direct the aircraft to the team’s position. Despite his severe wounds and under intense enemy fire, he carried and dragged half of the wounded team members to the awaiting aircraft. He then provided protective fire by running alongside the aircraft as it moved to pick up the remaining team members. As the enemy’s fire intensified, he hurried to recover the body and classified documents on the dead team leader. When he reached the leader’s body, Sergeant Benavidez was severely wounded by small arms fire in the abdomen and grenade fragments in his back. At nearly the same moment, the aircraft pilot was mortally wounded, and his helicopter crashed. Although in extremely critical condition due to his multiple wounds, Sergeant Benavidez secured the classified documents and made his way back to the wreckage, where he aided the wounded out of the overturned aircraft, and gathered the stunned survivors into a defensive perimeter. Under increasing enemy automatic weapons and grenade fire, he moved around the perimeter distributing water and ammunition to his weary men, reinstilling in them a will to live and fight. Facing a buildup of enemy opposition with a beleaguered team, Sergeant Benavidez mustered his strength, began calling in tactical air strikes and directed the fire from supporting gunships to suppress the enemy’s fire and so permit another extraction attempt. He was wounded again in his thigh by small arms fire while administering first aid to a wounded team member just before another extraction helicopter was able to land. His indomitable spirit kept him going as he began to ferry his comrades to the craft. On his second trip with the wounded, he was clubbed from additional wounds to his head and arms before killing his adversary. He then continued under devastating fire to carry the wounded to the helicopter. Upon reaching the aircraft, he spotted and killed two enemy soldiers who were rushing the craft from an angle that prevented the aircraft door gunner from firing upon them. With little strength remaining, he made one last trip to the perimeter to ensure that all classified material had been collected or destroyed, and to bring in the remaining wounded. Only then, in extremely serious condition from numerous wounds and loss of blood, did he allow himself to be pulled into the extraction aircraft. Sergeant Benavidez’ gallant choice to join voluntarily his comrades who were in critical straits, to expose himself constantly to withering enemy fire, and his refusal to be stopped despite numerous severe wounds, saved the lives of at least eight men. His fearless personal leadership, tenacious devotion to duty, and extremely valorous actions in the face of overwhelming odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect the utmost credit on him and the United States Army. [End]

   Suggested read: The Last Medal of Honor: The True Story of Green Beret Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez and His Six-Hour Battle in Hell
2. Pam says:

   February 26, 2011 at 10:41 am

   Roy Benavidez was truly an American Hero. One this nation should always remember and cherish….his sacrifices and contributions never to be taken for granted. We are a nation of free people due in large part to Roy’s selfless acts of valor, and all those others who served and believed and sacrificed valorously under the credo: “Duty Honor Country.”

   I had the privilege and honor of meeting Roy Benavidez on 24 March 1994 in Fort Worth. A fellow veteran extended an invitation to me to attend the reception honoring Roy, which was being hosted by Roy’s fellow Vietnam Veterans. That evening was very special indeed. I met a man who was very warm, genuine and sincere in his conversations with me and others there at the reception. Roy was very humble and gracious, yet he reflected deep strength and pride in his country and service to others. It was also obvious that he was in physical pain that evening, but Roy cared deeply about his fellow Vietnam Veterans--it made the evening all the more meaningful and was gratefully acknowledged by all. Roy definitely walked through the Valley of Death with immeasurable courage, and his strong faith in God brought him to the other side. The odds of his survival were insurmountable at best. Undoubtedly, God had other plans for him.

   Roy loved children and he spoke to us about his commitment to America’s youth. He rarely turned down an opportunity to speak to school children, to inspire them to learn, to stay away from drugs, to always strive to become great citizens. He often would tell school children “Learn — then use what you learn.”

   Being in Roy’s presence that evening was one of the most momentous privileges of my life experiences….another being welcoming home POW Capt. Michael Brazelton (USAF) during Operation Homecoming. That evening meeting Roy Benavidez is one I will forever cherish.

   Everyone should read his book…..the video linked above, while done very well and respectfully, doesn’t begin to tell Roy’s story of immense courage, integrity, strength, honor, and duty to God and country.

   God Bless you, Roy. Rest In Peace.

   SALUTE!
3. Bear says:

   February 26, 2011 at 1:38 pm

   List of Medal of Honor Recipients from the Vietnam War

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