Roy Benavidez Podcast

Roy Benavidez, a war hero, showed remarkable courage and resilience during the Vietnam War. Despite being severely injured, he rescued many soldiers under heavy enemy fire, saving at least eight lives. Benavidez's determination and refusal to give up exemplify true grit. He overcame childhood challenges, fought to walk again after a landmine explosion, and returned to the battlefield. His heroic actions, including directing airstrikes and carrying wounded comrades, earned him the Medal of Honor. Benavidez's legacy extends beyond his military achievements, as he advocated for veterans' issues and inspired others with his story of courage and resilience. He passed away in 1998 but continues to be a source of inspiration for never giving up. Hello, everyone. Welcome to our podcast where we analyze the lives of some of the most remarkable and gritty figures in history. I'm Ryan. And I'm Oliver. Today, we're talking about a man whose name has become synonymous with courage and resilience, Roy Benavidez. He was a decorated war hero known for his everlasting grit and bravery during the Vietnam War. That's right, Oliver. Roy Benavidez's determination and relentless bravery are shown throughout his life. Despite being severely injured multiple times, he successfully rescued many of his military brothers under heavy enemy fire, saving the lives of at least eight fellow soldiers. His immortal spirit and refusal to give up is something that exemplifies true grit. Absolutely. Now, let's start from the top and look at his life from the beginning. Roy Benavidez was born on August 5, 1935, in Cuero, Texas. He faced significant challenges from a young age, losing both of his parents by the age of seven. Growing up as an orphan is tough, Oliver, but Benavidez didn't let his circumstances define him. He was determined to make something of himself. He enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard in 1952, and later transitioned to active duty in the U.S. Army in 1955. His journey from the National Guard to the elite green berets speaks volumes about his determination and resilience. During his first tour in Vietnam, Benavidez encountered a life-changing event. He stepped on a landmine and was severely injured, resulting in paralysis from the waist down. Doctors told him he would never walk again, but Benavidez wasn't ready to accept that fate. His grit came into play as he embarked on a grueling path to recovery. That's right, refusing to quit and determined to return to his comrades, he began a nightly personal training routine to return to service. He progressed from sitting to standing to shuffling along the wall. When doctors arrived months later with his final discharge paperwork, Benavidez stood up of the bed and walked. Instead of sending him home, the Army condensed his 18-month physical recovery into six, then sent him over to Fort Bragg. His recovery is a testament to his indomitable spirit. Benavidez's grit didn't just bring him back to his feet, it brought him back to the battlefield. On the morning of May 2, 1968, a 12-man Special Forces reconnaissance team was inserted by helicopters into a dense jungle area west of Loc Niem, Vietnam, to gather intelligence information about confirmed large-scale enemy activity. The area was controlled and routinely patrolled by the North Vietnamese Army. Benavidez voluntarily boarded a returning aircraft in order to assist in another extraction attempt. What happened next is the stuff of legends. Despite being severely wounded multiple times over a six-hour period, Benavidez repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue his comrades. Although he was in extremely critical condition due to his multiple wounds, Benavidez secured the classified documents and made his way back to the wreckage, where he aided the wounded out of the overturned aircraft and gathered the stunned survivors into a defense perimeter. Under increasing enemy automatic weapons and grenade fire, he moved up around the perimeter, disturbing water and ammunition to the men. Facing a buildup of enemy opposition with a beleaguered team, Benavidez mustered his strength, began calling in tactical airstrikes and directed the fire from supporting gunships to suppress the enemy's fire in order to prevent another extraction attempt. Let's talk about the specifics. On a second trip with the wounded, he was clubbed from additional wounds to his head and arms before killing his adversary. He then continued under fire to carry the wounded to the helicopter. Upon reaching the aircraft, he spotted and killed two enemy soldiers who were rushing the helicopter from an angle that prevented the door gunner from firing upon them. With little strength remaining, he made one last trip to the perimeter to ensure that all classified material had been collected or destroyed and to bring in the remaining wounded. Only then did he allow himself to be pulled into the extraction aircraft. Benavidez's actions saved the lives of at least eight men. He sustained several severe injuries including gunshot wounds, bayonet wounds and grenade shrapnel. The grit he demonstrated in those moments is almost unimaginable. And even when he was left for dead and almost suffocated to death in the body bag, his will to survive kicked in. He wasn't ready to give up yet. His comrades heard him moaning and managed to get a doctor. He then spit in the doctor's face as they were about to close it up to let him know he was still alive. Benavidez's sheer determination to stay alive and keep fighting is the epitome of grit. Initially, Benavidez was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery. However, a review of his actions led to this award being upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which he received from President Ronald Reagan on February 24th, 1981. Reagan himself said, if the story of heroism were a movie script, you would not believe it. Benavidez's legacy goes beyond his military achievements. After retiring from the Army in 1976 with the rank of Master Sergeant, during his retirement he settled down with his family in El Campo, Texas. Benavidez often talked about the importance of education in the military at several military bases, schools, and runaway shelters. Later in life, Benavidez became active in veterans' issues, lobbying for disability and benefits, and testifying at the House of Committees. He inspired countless individuals with a story of courage and resilience. He was a living example of what it means to possess true grit. You know, grit isn't just about physical endurance. It's about mental toughness and an unwavering commitment to a cause. Benavidez's life was a testament to this, facing adversity head-on, whether it was overcoming his childhood challenges, fighting to walk again, or even saving his fellow soldiers under extremely dangerous conditions. Roy Benavidez passed away on November 29, 1998, and is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. His story reminds us that true heroism is about never giving up, no matter the odds. His grit and determination are a source of inspiration for us all. Indeed, Ryan. Benavidez's story shows us that true grit is about pushing through pain and hardship, staying committed to your goals, and helping others even when it seems impossible. He taught us that with enough determination, we can overcome the greatest of obstacles. That's it for today's episode of our podcast. Thanks for listening. See you next time. That was pretty good.