Fort Bragg, N.C. (USASOC News Service, March 28, 2019) -- Former Special Forces Master Sgt. Roy P. Benavidez, a Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient, was honored by the State of Texas, Saturday, March 23, 2019.
Sponsored by Benavidez's adopted home town of El Campo, Texas, a section of State Highway 71 was dedicated to his memory. This highway section is close to a statue of him in his old hometown of Cuero, Texas.
Fifty years ago, Benavidez, a Special Forces light weapons non-commissioned officer, stepped forward to help fellow Special Forces Soldiers under attack in Loc Ninh, South Vietnam. Despite wounds to his face, neck, and hands, Benavidez directed helicopters to the crippled team and under fire assisted in the evacuation of wounded and dead. Severely wounded in the stomach and back, Benavidez called in air strikes for a second helicopter after his aircraft crashed. While treating and evacuating his fellow Soldiers, he kept the enemy infantry at bay, but was wounded several more times. After a final check for possibly forgotten Soldiers and classified material, Benavidez boarded a helicopter and flew to safety with those he had rescued. For his valorous actions he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Benavidez died in San Antonio, Texas, November 29, 1998. For more information on this valorous Soldier, go to:
https://www.soc.mil/ARSOF_History/medal_of_honor/recipient_benavidez.html
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