Fighting to the Finish by Avi Heiligman

Forgotten Her es Forgotten Her es Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez

Fighting to the Finish Fighting to the Finish by Avi Heiligman by Avi Heiligman

the Unites States Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets, can trace their roots back to World War II. Their main mission is to train forces in occupied areas and lead them on operations against the enemy. Other responsibilities include search and rescue, hostage rescue, and humanitarian assistance, among other combat and non-combat roles.

During World War II, the OSS (the forerunner to the CIA) and units from branches of the military trained in special tactics to perform these missions. During the 1950s, the Special Forces units was formed into a group, with the establishment of the 10th Special Forces Group. They were very active in Vietnam, and several Special Forces soldiers were awarded and noted for bravery in battle in scenes that even Hollywood tried to recreate.

The story of Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez could have come straight from a movie, and some parts of “Rambo” may have been based on his exploits. He was born in Texas to a Mexican farmer. His parents died when he was a young child, and he was raised by relatives. Benavidez joined the National Guard during the Korean War and in 1959 went through airborne training to join the 82nd Airborne Division. In 1965, he was deployed to Vietnam as an adviser but was evacuated after stepping on a landmine. Doctors informed the soldier that he may never walk again, but he didn’t let that get in the way of getting out of bed at night to try and walk. It was excruciating work, but after a year, he was able to walk out of the hospital without assistance. Benavidez was sent to Fort Bragg to complete his rehabilitation and in 1967 completed Special Forces training. Assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group, he was sent back to Vietnam for a second tour of duty.

On May 2, 1968, Benavidez heard over the radio that a twelve-man Special Forces reconnaissance patrol was pleading for help near the Cambodian

border. They had run into an enemy batthe Unites States Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets, can trace their roots back to talion of about 1,000 soldiers and were surrounded. Three helicopters already had failed to rescue the three Americans World War II. Their main mission is to and nine Montagnard tribesmen that train forces in occupied areas and lead had been trained by the Green Berets. them on operations against the enemy. Benavidez jumped on board another heOther responsibilities include search licopter armed only with a Bowie knife and rescue, hostage rescue, and human- and a medical bag. As they neared the itarian assistance, among other combat and non-combat roles.

During World War II, the OSS (the forerunner to the CIA) and units from branches of the military trained in special tactics to perform these missions. During the 1950s, the Special Forces units was formed into a group, with the establishment of the 10th Special Forces Group. They were very active in Vietnam, and several Special Forces soldiers were awarded and noted for bravery in battle in scenes that even Hollywood tried to recreate.

The story of Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez could have come straight from a movie, and some parts of “Rambo” may have been based on his exploits. He was born in Texas to a Mexican farmer. His parents died when he was a young child, and he was raised by relatives. Benavidez joined the National Guard during the Korean War and in 1959 went through airborne training to join the 82nd Airborne Division. In 1965, he was deployed to Vietnam as an adviser but was evacuated after stepping on a landmine. Doctors informed the soldier that he may never walk again, but he didn’t let that get in the way of getting out of bed at night to try and walk. It was excruciating work, but after a year, he was able to walk out of the hospital without assistance. Benavidez was sent to Fort Bragg to complete his rehabilitation and in 1967 completed Special Forces training. Assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group, he was sent back to Vietnam for a second tour of duty. On May 2, 1968, Benavidez heard over the radio that a twelve-man Special Forces reconnaissance patrol was pleading for help near the Cambodian border. They had run into an enemy battalion of about 1,000 soldiers and were surrounded. Three helicopters already had failed to rescue the three Americans and nine Montagnard tribesmen that had been trained by the Green Berets. Benavidez jumped on board another helicopter armed only with a Bowie knife and a medical bag. As they neared the

After another examination, he was After another examination, he was discovered to have suffered 37 wounds from discovered to have suffered 37 wounds from bayonet stabs, shrapnel and bullets bayonet stabs, shrapnel and bullets during the six-hour fight with the enemy. during the six-hour fight with the enemy.

firefight, he jumped out of the helicopter and was hit in the leg running towards firefight, he jumped out of the helicopter the beleaguered group. Once on scene, and was hit in the leg running towards Benavidez pulled the unit out one by the beleaguered group. Once on scene, one into a defensive position all while Benavidez pulled the unit out one by attending to their wounds. Against devone into a defensive position all while astating fire, he got the wounded men attending to their wounds. Against devto the helicopter and picked up an AKastating fire, he got the wounded men 47 to fight back the approaching enemy. to the helicopter and picked up an AKHis close friend, Leroy Wright, had been 47 to fight back the approaching enemy. His close friend, Leroy Wright, had been killed during the firefight, and Benavidez took the intelligence documents that killed during the firefight, and Benavihe had been carrying so they would not dez took the intelligence documents that fall into Communist hands. he had been carrying so they would not Unfortunately, the chopper that had fall into Communist hands. been carrying the wounded soldiers Unfortunately, the chopper that had crashed, and Benavidez ran and cleared been carrying the wounded soldiers the survivors from the wreckage. An crashed, and Benavidez ran and cleared F-100 Super Sabre fighter-bomber held the survivors from the wreckage. An back the enemy. However, the jet’s fuel F-100 Super Sabre fighter-bomber held soon ran low and had to return to base. back the enemy. However, the jet’s fuel The enemy started their attack again soon ran low and had to return to base. and had them surrounded. When it The enemy started their attack again looked like there was no escape, anothand had them surrounded. When it er helicopter appeared, and Benavidez looked like there was no escape, anothstarted dragging the men to the aircraft. er helicopter appeared, and Benavidez He had been wounded several times, started dragging the men to the aircraft. and blood was blurring his vision. A He had been wounded several times, North Vietnamese soldier attacked him and blood was blurring his vision. A with his rifle and slashed him with the North Vietnamese soldier attacked him bayonet. Benavidez pulled the bayonet, with his rifle and slashed him with the took out his Bowie knife, and stabbed bayonet. Benavidez pulled the bayonet, the soldier. Two other NVA soldiers took out his Bowie knife, and stabbed were killed by the Green Beret when the soldier. Two other NVA soldiers he picked up an M-16 and fired many were killed by the Green Beret when rounds. At this point, the interpreter he picked up an M-16 and fired many and all the surviving men were loaded rounds. At this point, the interpreter on the helicopter, and the classified maand all the surviving men were loaded terial was destroyed. Finally, Benavidez on the helicopter, and the classified maallowed himself to be evacuated. terial was destroyed. Finally, Benavidez Eight men were rescued thanks to allowed himself to be evacuated. Benavidez’s heroic efforts, but when Eight men were rescued thanks to Benavidez’s heroic efforts, but when

they returned to base, a doctor said he was dead. As they were about to zip up the body bag, he spit in the direction of the doctor because he couldn’t speak. After another examination, he was discovered to have suffered 37 wounds from bayonet stabs, shrapnel and bullets during the six-hour fight with the enemy. Benavidez was sent back to the U.S. where he made a full recovery and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and four Purple Hearts.

In a ceremony in 1981, Master Sergeant Benavidez was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Ronald Reagan. His citation reads in part:

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... He was wounded again in his thigh by small

arms fire while administering first

aid to a wounded team member just

Receiving the Medal of Honor from President Ronald Reagan

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 behind by an enemy soldier. In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, he sustained 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 with-

ering enemy fire, and his refusal to

be stopped despite numerous severe wounds, saved the lives of at least eight men.

Master Sergeant Benavidez was the epitome of a Green Beret soldier. The stories of many members of the Green Berets many never be known, as much of the information still remains classified. While we may never know their exploits, just knowing the fact that they were all highly decorated for combat heroism is a testament to their service. Vietnam was an ugly war both in country and at home, but the Green Berets, as well as all Special Forces units, leave a legacy of bravery and dedication that is rarely seen on the battlefield.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.