[December 31, 2015] I thought it most appropriate to end the year with a special shout-out to all the heroes who have made the United States such a great nation. Serving in the Vietnam War, Roy P. Benavidez was not just any hero; he was a tough and courageous soldier. Although he didn’t like to be called a hero to us, there can be no one who deserves it more.
“The real heroes are the ones who gave their lives for their country. I don’t like to be called a hero. I just did what I was trained to do.” – U.S. Army Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez
Born in South Texas, Benavidez was orphaned as a youngster.1 Living with his uncle, he dropped out of school early to help feed his uncle’s family. He joined the U.S. Army at age 19 and was in frequent trouble while in military school for his hot temper and stubbornness.2 On his first tour to Vietnam as an advisor he stepped on a land mine and was told he would never walk. He was determined to go back and he did walk again.
On his second tour in Vietnam in 1968, he heard the radio call for help from a Special Forces unit. Jumping on a helicopter with only a knife and medic bag, he personally intervened to save eight lives. His wounds were so severe during the battle that he could not talk. Pronounced dead, he spit in the face of the doctor who was zipping up his body bag. He had 37 separate bullet, bayonet, and shrapnel wounds from that day.3
It is interesting that although he was recommended for the Medal of Honor, he was not qualified because there were no witnesses to the event (a requirement that cannot be waived). Fortunately, a witness was found – it was the man who made the radio call that faithful day. In 1981, U.S. President Ronald Reagan presented Benavidez with the Medal of Honor.
“If the story of his [Benavidez’s] heroism were a movie script, you would not believe it.” – U.S. President Ronald Reagan
Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez (retired) passed away in 1998. We all mourn his loss but we can honor and respect his service to the nation.
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- http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/04/us/roy-p-benavidez-recipient-of-medal-of-honor-dies-at-63.html
- http://www.wacotrib.com/news/veterans_profiles/medal-of-honor-roy-perez-benavidez/article_061886d1-ae63-56bd-a62e-c591f24d0f22.html
- https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAffairs/photos/a.10150363885273178.359170.15408433177/10152892226803178/?type=3&theater