Medal of Honor: Thomas W. Bennett – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Name: Thomas W. Bennett
Rank: Corporal
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: 2d Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment
Place: Chu Pa Region, Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Fairmont, West Virginia
Born: 7 April 1947, Morgantown, West Virginia

Summary of Action

Serving as a platoon medical aidman during a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the Chu Pa Region, Cpl. Thomas W. Bennett accompanied his platoon as it moved to assist another unit that had been caught in a deadly North Vietnamese ambush. As Company B advanced, it came under intense small-arms, automatic-weapons, mortar, and rocket fire from a well-fortified and numerically superior enemy force.

In the opening moments of the engagement, three soldiers at the point were wounded. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Cpl. Bennett ran through the heavy fire to reach them. Under fire, he administered lifesaving aid and repeatedly carried the wounded across exposed ground to positions from which they could be evacuated.

Throughout the night and into the following day, Cpl. Bennett continued to move across fire-swept areas, treating and comforting wounded soldiers and recovering fallen comrades despite the relentless enemy fire. His calm presence and unwavering courage sustained those around him during prolonged combat.

On 11 February, Company B renewed its assault against the fortified enemy positions and was again met with devastating fire. Five soldiers were wounded in the initial attack. Cpl. Bennett immediately ran to their aid, treating one wounded soldier before moving toward another who lay forward of the company’s position in an area raked by grazing fire. Though warned that the position was unreachable, he leapt forward without regard for his own life in an effort to save his comrade.

While attempting this rescue, Cpl. Thomas W. Bennett was mortally wounded. Through his selfless devotion, extraordinary courage, and unyielding commitment to his fellow soldiers, he gave his life in the service of others.

Medal of Honor Citation

BENNETT, THOMAS W.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Cpl. Bennett distinguished himself while serving as a platoon medical aidman with the 2d Platoon, Company B, during a reconnaissance-in-force mission. On 9 February the platoon was moving to assist the 1st Platoon of Company D which had run into a North Vietnamese ambush when it became heavily engaged by the intense small arms, automatic weapons, mortar and rocket fire from a well fortified and numerically superior enemy unit. In the initial barrage of fire, 3 of the point members of the platoon fell wounded. Cpl. Bennett, with complete disregard for his safety, ran through the heavy fire to his fallen comrades, administered life-saving first aid under fire and then made repeated trips carrying the wounded men to positions of relative safety from which they would be medically evacuated from the battle position. Cpl. Bennett repeatedly braved the intense enemy fire moving across open areas to give aid and comfort to his wounded comrades. He valiantly exposed himself to the heavy fire in order to retrieve the bodies of several fallen personnel. Throughout the night and following day, Cpl. Bennett moved from position to position treating and comforting the several personnel who had suffered shrapnel and gunshot wounds. On 11 February, Company B again moved in an assault on the well fortified enemy positions and became heavily engaged with the numerically superior enemy force. Five members of the company fell wounded in the initial assault. Cpl. Bennett ran to their aid without regard to the heavy fire. He treated 1 wounded comrade and began running toward another seriously wounded man. Although the wounded man was located forward of the company position covered by heavy enemy grazing fire and Cpl. Bennett was warned that it was impossible to reach the position, he leaped forward with complete disregard for his safety to save his comrade’s life. In attempting to save his fellow soldier, he was mortally wounded. Cpl. Bennett’s undaunted concern for his comrades at the cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.