Medal of Honor: Thomas W. Bennett – Vietnam War, February 11, 1969

Thomas William Bennett
Corporal, U.S. Army
Conflict: Vietnam War
Unit: Company B, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Date of Action: February 9–11, 1969
Location: Pleiku Province, Central Highlands, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action:
Thomas Bennett did not carry a weapon. He did not believe in killing. But when the bullets flew and men screamed for help, he ran straight into the fire.

Born in West Virginia, Bennett was a devout Christian, a student, and a patriot. He opposed war on religious grounds—but not service. Classified as a conscientious objector willing to serve, he trained as a combat medic and deployed to Vietnam on New Year’s Day, 1969.

In the thick jungle of the Central Highlands, he joined Bravo Company, where he quickly earned respect not just for his medical skill, but for his courage. On February 9, as his unit was ambushed, Bennett charged into the open again and again to pull the wounded to safety. Through a hail of fire, he reached at least five men, shielding them with his own body as he treated their wounds. That night, his platoon sergeant began the paperwork for a Silver Star.

But Thomas Bennett wasn’t finished.

For three days, through ambushes, sniper fire, and unrelenting combat, he continued to run toward danger—never away from it. On February 11, 1969, while trying to reach yet another fallen comrade, Bennett was struck by enemy fire and killed instantly. He was 21 years old.

He died without ever firing a shot—but saved lives that day in numbers no rifle could match.

Thomas W. Bennett was one of only two conscientious objectors to receive the Medal of Honor, following in the footsteps of Desmond Doss. In a war that divided a nation, his legacy stood as a quiet, resolute reminder: heroism takes many forms.

Medal of Honor Citation:
*"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. He distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman with Company B. The company was maneuvering through a densely vegetated area to establish a blocking position when it encountered heavy enemy fire.

During the initial contact, several of the men were wounded and lay exposed to enemy fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Bennett unhesitatingly moved through heavy enemy fire to the fallen men, skillfully administered first aid, and assisted in evacuating them to the relative safety of the company area.

Later, when the company was pinned down by a heavy volume of enemy fire, Corporal Bennett moved to the line of contact, exposed himself to hostile fire, and helped in moving the casualties to safer positions. Throughout the remainder of the day, Corporal Bennett continued to expose himself to intense fire each time he administered medical aid.

On February 11, the company again came under heavy fire. A number of soldiers fell wounded in positions where they could not be reached. Without hesitation, Corporal Bennett left the relative safety of his position and moved forward through the heavy fire in an attempt to reach one of the injured men. In the process, he was mortally wounded.

His gallantry and heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army."*