Met him on a plane flight coming home to Houston from Ft. Bragg years ago. He was having back trouble and had to stand in the back of the plane most of the flight. When I saw him I knew exactly who he was and went and stood with him and talked for quite awhile. It was a pretty big deal for this (at the time) young Paratrooper. A very humble guy and a true American hero.
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Baddest dude you will ever see
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For some reason, I don't think that MSG Benavidez would agree with the characterization of him as a Bad ***.
Not to diminish MSG Benavidez's actions in any way, but rather to illustrate that these types of actions were much more common in Vietnam than anyone knew, I suggest that you research also Robert L. Howard, often referred to as "The Greatest Hero America Never Knew".
Also Bruce Crandall, Ed W. Freeman, and many others. Most of these guys did their jobs and tried to get back to life without any fanfare or notoriety. It was not a popular thing to have been a soldier during or after Vietnam.
I get choked up every time I think of these men. As someone else had said, for those that know, no explanation is necessary.
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One of my VN brothers---and a medic also, but a medic of a different kind. Gave new meaning to the phrase "Runs to the sounds of the guns" didn't he?
El Paisano---you are spot-on about COL Howard---3 times nominated for the Medal. Read about him in the book SOG by John Plaster. BIG Cojones for sure.
You can read about Crandall and Freeman in the book "We Were Soldiers Once -- and Young"Last edited by dustoffer; 07-11-2017, 03:51 PM.
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Originally posted by El Paisano View PostFor some reason, I don't think that MSG Benavidez would agree with the characterization of him as a Bad ***.
Not to diminish MSG Benavidez's actions in any way, but rather to illustrate that these types of actions were much more common in Vietnam than anyone knew, I suggest that you research also Robert L. Howard, often referred to as "The Greatest Hero America Never Knew".
Also Bruce Crandall, Ed W. Freeman, and many others. Most of these guys did their jobs and tried to get back to life without any fanfare or notoriety. It was not a popular thing to have been a soldier during or after Vietnam.
I get choked up every time I think of these men. As someone else had said, for those that know, no explanation is necessary.
I have the utmost respect for Roy Benavidez and anyone else who fought for our nation. The "characterization" was meant as a compliment. I knew him and was the one who hooked him up with the MDRT meeting for this video to be done. I was in the audience and the number of his speaking engagements exploded after this presentation was done. I for one appreciated his willingness to share.Last edited by TKK; 07-11-2017, 05:19 PM.
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