85R10621 RMA-D
By: Stephenson H.C.R. No. 76
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Roy Perez Benavidez built
a distinguished military career that spanned nearly a quarter
century, and his bravery and self-sacrifice in the service of his
fellow Americans have become legendary; and
WHEREAS, The son of Salvador Benavidez and Teresa Perez, Roy
Benavidez was born in Lindenau on August 5, 1935; he answered his
nation's call to duty in 1952, enlisting in the Texas Army National
Guard, and three years later, he joined the U.S. Army; after
completing airborne training in 1959, he was assigned to the 82nd
Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in North Carolina; he went on to
join the elite Army Special Forces and became a member of the 5th
Special Forces and the Studies and Observations Groups; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Benavidez was deployed to Southeast Asia in
1965 as an advisor to an infantry regiment in the Army of the
Republic of Vietnam; one day, while on patrol, he was seriously
injured when he stepped on a land mine, and he was subsequently
evacuated to the United States; though doctors believed he had
permanently lost the use of his legs, he remained determined to
continue his military service, and in July 1966, more than a year
after he was injured, he was able to walk out of the hospital; two
years later, he returned to South Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, On the morning of May 2, 1968, while assigned to
Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special
Forces, west of Loc Ninh, Sergeant Benavidez heard a distress call
from a 12-man Special Forces Reconnaissance Team that was pinned
down by a North Vietnamese Army battalion of about 1,000 soldiers;
he quickly volunteered to assist in an extraction attempt, and
after reaching the battle zone, he ran through withering enemy fire
to reach his comrades, sustaining multiple injuries; despite
agonizing pain, he loaded the wounded and dead members of the team
onto the aircraft, but then the pilot was killed and the helicopter
crashed; Sergeant Benavidez quickly called in tactical air strikes
and directed fire from supporting gunships, enabling another
extraction helicopter to land; over the course of the six-hour
fight, he received dozens of bullet, bayonet, and shrapnel wounds,
and his valiant actions saved the lives of at least eight men and
prevented classified documents from falling into enemy hands; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his heroism, Sergeant Benavidez
was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Ronald Reagan on
February 24, 1981; this courageous Texan was also the recipient of
the Purple Heart with four oak-leaf clusters, the Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army
Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with four
campaign stars; and
WHEREAS, After retiring with the rank of master sergeant in
1976, Roy Benavidez returned home to his wife, Hilaria, and their
three children in El Campo; during the ensuing years, he spoke often
at the invitation of schools, military and civic groups, and
businesses, and he wrote several books recounting his life
experiences, including The Three Wars of Roy Benavidez and Medal of
Honor: A Vietnam Warrior's Story; he passed away on November 29,
1998, at the age of 63; and
WHEREAS, Through his unfaltering courage and devotion to
duty, Master Sergeant Benavidez exemplified the highest ideals of
the U.S. armed forces; his actions and accomplishments are an
inspiration to all Americans, and he is truly deserving of special
recognition for his notable contributions as a soldier and patriot;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the life of U.S. Army Master Sergeant Roy P.
Benavidez and to his exceptional service in behalf of his nation.