What did Roy Benavidez do in the Vietnam War?
Before enlisting in the Texas Army National Guard in 1952, he worked as a migrant farmworker. In June 1955, Benavidez received his infantry training at Fort Ord, California. By 1965, Benavidez was in Vietnam as a military adviser to the South Vietnamese Army.
Is the story about Benavidez true?
“He was the real American Rambo — not a fictional character, but a real soldier who saved countless lives at a great cost to his body and person,” Garcia said. Benavidez was born in 1935 near Cuero, Texas, southeast of San Antonio. He set up a defense line and helped the badly wounded soldiers into the aircraft.
Is Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez still alive?
Death. Roy Benavidez died on November 29, 1998, at the age of 63 at Brooke Army Medical Center, having suffered respiratory failure and complications of diabetes.
What did Roy Benavidez load into the chopper?
They found out I loaded three dead enemy soldiers in that helicopter.
How many times did Roy Benavidez get shot?
He was wounded 37 times by bullets, shrapnel, a bayonet, and a rifle butt but his only thoughts were on those others who were hit on that day in May 1968. His actions saved eight other men’s lives in Vietnam on that day. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery but it wouldn’t be for 13 more years.
Was Roy Benavidez shot in the head?
After leaping off the helicopter, Sergeant Benavidez was shot in the face, head and right leg, but he ran toward his fellow troops, finding four dead and the others wounded. He was bayoneted by a North Vietnamese soldier, whom he killed with a knife.
Did they ever make a movie about Roy Benavidez?
Roy Benavidez: Unkillable Vietnam War Hero.
Is Rambo based on Roy Benavidez?
Rambo was so iconic that he became a legend. In real life, Americans indeed had a Rambo. He was Master Sergeant Raul Perez “Roy” Benevidez, aka Tango Mike Mike. If only they turned Perez’s life story into a Hollywood film, John Rambo would look like a second-rate hero.
What was ultimately awarded to Benavidez the highest honor?
Benavidez personified mental and physical toughness throughout his life, and he epitomized the Warrior Ethos on May 2, 1968, near Loc Ninh, Cambodia, where he earned the Medal of Honor.
Is there a film about Roy Benavidez?
How many soldiers did MSG Benavidez save?
eight men
Benavidez’s actions saved the lives of at least eight men. During the six hours of continuous operations, Benavidez suffered a broken jaw and 37 bullet and bayonet puncture wounds.
What did Roy Benavidez do in Vietnam?
Roy Benavidez. Master Sergeant Raul Perez “Roy” Benavidez (August 5, 1935 – November 29, 1998) was a member of the United States Army Special Forces (Studies and Observations Group) and retired United States Army Master Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his valorous actions in combat near Lộc Ninh, South Vietnam on May 2, 1968.
When did Roy Benavidez get his Distinguished Service Medal?
He finally got it on 24 February 1981. Master Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Roy P. BENAVIDEZ United States Army, distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely valorous actions on 2 May 1968 while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam.
How did Benavidez join the US Army?
So in 1952, he enlisted with the Texas National Guard at the age of 17. By 1965, Benavidez was an advisor to an infantry regiment of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), which was how he stepped on a landmine. They sent him back to the US, but the diagnosis wasn’t correct.
Who is Raul Benavidez?
Master Sergeant Raul Perez “Roy” Benavidez (August 5, 1935 – November 29, 1998) was a United States Army master sergeant who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valorous actions in combat near Lộc Ninh, South Vietnam on May 2, 1968, while serving as a member of the Army Special Forces during the Vietnam War .