[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 78 (Thursday, June 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF ROY P. BENAVIDEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before Congress today to pay 
tribute to a man that put duty, honor and the lives of others before 
his own safety and well-being. Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez, a 
former Green Beret Soldier, received the Congressional Medal of Honor 
in 1981 for his service to this country. He has been an outstanding 
citizen and deserves the thanks and praise of Congress for all that he 
has done.
  Roy was born in 1935 in Texas. He joined the Army at the age of 19. 
Then Staff Sergeant Benavidez served two tours of duty with the U.S. 
Army's Green Berets during the Vietnam War. On the Morning of May 2, 
1968, he heard the cry ``get us out of here'' over his radio. Roy 
voluntarily led the emergency extraction of a 12-man special forces 
unit that was ambushed while gathering intelligence. Prior to arriving 
at the team's position he was wounded in his right leg, face and head. 
Despite these wounds and heavy fire, he dragged half of the wounded 
soldiers to awaiting aircraft. Roy was then shot in the stomach and 
thigh, hit in the back by grenade fragments and stabbed by a bayonet. 
Roy was still able to return fire, call in air strikes, administer 
morphine and recover classified documents.
  His fearless leadership, devotion to duty and fellow soldiers and 
valorous actions earned Roy the Distinguished Service Cross. In 1981 
President Ronald Reagan presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to 
Roy at the Pentagon. Roy has also been awarded the Combat Infantry 
Badge, the Purple Heart Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Vietnam 
Campaign Medal with Four Battle Stars, the Vietnam Service Medal, the 
air Medal and numerous other decorations. In June of 2001, the Colorado 
Springs Parks and Recreation Department will honor Roy by dedicating a 
park in his name.
  Mr. Speaker, Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez was a true American hero. 
He was wounded over 40 times while saving his fellow soldiers. He 
performed above and beyond the call of duty. His gallantry, loyalty and 
strong sense of duty far superseded any concerns for his own safety. He 
promoted patriotism, staying in school and encouraged continuing 
education. It is for this, that I ask Congress to pay special tribute 
to this living, breathing American hero.