AncientFaces Your browser does not support JavaScript!
Please enable JavaScript to view the entire contents of this page.

Roy Perez Benavidez 1935 - 1998

Roy Perez Benavidez of El Campo, Wharton County, TX was born on August 5, 1935 in Cuero, Comté de DeWitt County, and died at age 63 years old on November 28, 1998 in San Antonio, Comté de Bexar County. Roy Benavidez was buried at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery Section AI Site 553 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, in San Antonio.

Roy Perez Benavidez

El Campo, Wharton County, TX 77437

August 5, 1935

Cuero, Comté de DeWitt County, TX, 77954, États-Unis

November 28, 1998

San Antonio, Comté de Bexar County, TX, États-Unis

Male

Looking for another Roy Benavidez?

Roy Perez Benavidez Roy Benavidez (1935 - 1998)

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM

This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers Roy.

Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.

Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...

Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

Roy Perez Benavidez's History: 1935 - 1998

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.

- Discover how AncientFaces works.

Introduction

Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the Vietnam War in the United States Army as a Master Sergeant in Detachment B-56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces (the Green Berets). He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery West of Loc Ninh on May 2, 1968 while a Staff Sergeant. His citation reads “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's 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”. His Medal was issued to him at the Pentagon by President Ronald Reagan on February 24, 1981.
08/5

1935

Birthday

August 5, 1935

Birthdate

Cuero, Comté de DeWitt County, TX 77954, États-Unis

Birthplace

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Military Service

Branch of service: Us Army Rank attained: MSG Wars/Conflicts: Vietnam
11/28

1998

Death

November 28, 1998

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

San Antonio, Comté de Bexar County, TX États-Unis
Death location

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery Section AI Site 553 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, in San Antonio, Tx 78209
Burial location
share

Memories

below

Be the 1st
to remember Roy

Select options below to share special moments.

Ethnicity & Family History Nationality & Locations Early Life & Education Baptism Religious Beliefs Professional Career Personal Life & Family Obituary Add Memory Add Photo

Share what you remember.
Ask what you wish to know.
Connect to discover more.
Advertisement
Did you know?

Roy Perez Benavidez lived 2 years shorter than the average family member when died at the age of 63.

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Looking for more information?
share

Memories

below