In a just released
book, Legend
author Eric Blehm recounts the heroism of Green Beret Staff
Sergeant Roy Benavidez, of the U.S. Army’s 240th Assault
Helicopter Company.
The first part of the book details Roy’s early life
from birth until marriage, enlistment, and examples of the
his tenacious spirit. In 1966, Roy suffered a serious injury
from his first tour in Vietnam, having been told he would
never walk again. Yet, a year later after much therapy and
willpower, Roy not only regained his ability to walk, but
qualified to become an elite Army Green Beret. The 2nd part
of the book gives a lot of background into the MACV-SOG (special
operations out of Vietnam) and 240th Assault Helicopter Company,
including how the US covertly inserted and removed 12-Man
Special Forces A Teams. The last part of the book details
the events of May 2nd, 1968.
Benavidez went into the firefight to bring out the wounded
soldiers, part of a team sent into Cambodia. Upon arrival
he jumped out and into the withering enemy fire. Despite being
immediately and severely wounded, Benavidez reached the perimeter
of the decimated team, provided medical care, and proceeded
to organize an extraordinary defense and rescue. During the
hours-long battle, he was bayoneted, shot, and hit by grenade
shrapnel more than thirty times, yet he refused to abandon
his efforts until every survivor was out of harm’s way.
Ingrained into his thinking by his grandfather, Benavidez
had the attitude ‘if someone needs help, you help them.’
Blehm commented, “He knowingly went into a place of
chaos. It is obvious it is not the size of the man, but the
size of his heart. The story is surreal considering after
putting the wounded on the helicopter, he went back to rescue
the interpreter, while holding his own intestines. As I recount
in the book, he crawled around the seriously wounded, giving
tactical orders, took charge of air support, medical aid,
ammunition, and boosted the wounded morale.” He saved
the lives of eight men and eventually recovered, receiving
the Medal of Honor thirteen years later. He dedicated his
life to inspire those in his situation, from humble and difficult
beginnings.
A powerful part of the book is when Blehm discusses the treatment
of those who fought in Vietnam. The Army told them to be proud
of their service and go home to rejoin their family and friends.
“They are proud of you and are anxiously awaiting your
return.” Yet, in direct contradiction Roy was told not
to wear his uniform in public. However, Blehm recounts how
Roy disobeyed those orders. It was not the veterans who were
the “baby killers,” but the North Vietnamese who
crucified children to walls and used them as target practice.
Legend is a moving story. Through extensive research
readers get to know Roy personally and understand that the
American soldier had their hands tied by politicians. After
reading this book people should realize that there is a great
debt owed to those that fought in Vietnam, soldiers who were
doing their patriotic duty.
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