Vietnam Veteran News

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Army Special Forces Medal of Honor Recipient Army SGT Brian L. Buker

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2817 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army SGT Brian L. Buker and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story appeared on the Greater Good News website and was submitted by Dan Doyle.

Dan Doyle is a husband, father, grandfather, Vietnam veteran, and retired professor of Humanities at Seattle University. He taught 13 years at the high school level and 22 years at the university level. He spends his time now babysitting his granddaughter. He is a poet and a blogger as well. Dan holds an AA degree in English Literature, a BA in Comparative Literature, and an MA in Theology, and writes regularly for The Veterans Site Blog.

In his story about Brian L. Buker, he reported that The Vietnam War had been going on for close to 10 years when Brian L. Buker graduated from Lawrence H.S. in Fairfield, Maine, in 1968. His three older brothers had already served in Vietnam, so it was not unusual that he would want to go into the military himself. He entered the U.S. Army just after his 17th birthday and requested to enter the Army’s Special Forces Training.

By April 5, 1970, Buker was serving as a sergeant in Detachment B-55, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces. On that day, he was acting as a platoon advisor for a Vietnamese mobile strike force company on a mission in Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam. When his platoon came under intense fire, he single-handedly destroyed one enemy bunker, was seriously wounded, and then destroyed another bunker despite these wounds. He was killed later in the battle as he reorganized his soldiers.

In 2010, Buker’s family donated his Medal of Honor to his alma mater, Lawrence High School in Fairfield, Maine, “so future generations will know who he was and what he did for his country.”

Listen to episode 2817 and discover more about Army SGT Brian L. Buker and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Medal of Honor recipient CPT Paul Bucha

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2816 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Army CPT Paul Bucha, his Congressional Medal of Honor award and his life of service. Information about him included in this episode comes Wikipedia and a piece about him from the Thayer Leadership Organization.

It was reported that: Paul William Bucha (born August 1, 1943) is an American Vietnam War veteran and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. He was a foreign policy adviser to Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Bucha is of Croatian descent; his paternal grandfather immigrated to the United States from the Croatian town of Našice. He graduated from Ladue Horton Watkins High School in 1961. An all-American swimmer in high school, Bucha was offered athletic scholarships to several universities but turned them down and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. After graduation he earned a Master of Business Administration at Stanford University before beginning his military career at Fort Campbell.

Bucha was sent to Vietnam in 1967 as a captain and commander of Company D, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment. On March 16, 1968, he and his company of 89 men were dropped by helicopter southwest of Phước Vĩnh, in Bình Dương Province.

According to the Thayer article, Bucha resigned his Army commission in 1972. Paul Bucha joined du Pont Glore Forgan as a special assistant to H. Ross Perot in 1972 and later moved to the Perot owned Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS) as Senior Vice President of International Operations. In 1973, Paul Bucha established the new EDS headquarters in Teheran, Iran, and remained in the Middle East until 1978 having expanded the operations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

As a member of the Board of Directors of WHX Corporation, he was asked to assume the title of Chairman of Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corporation in 1996 to preside over the reorganization of the company.

Listen to episode 2816 and discover more about Army CPT Paul Bucha, his Congressional Medal of Honor award and his life of service.

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Medal of Honor recipient Army SSG Hammett L. Bowen Jr.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2815 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Army SSG Hammett L. Bowen Jr.and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. Information about him included in this episode comes Wikipedia and a story about him titled: In Ocala, Remembering The Bowens’ Sacrifices In Vietnam And Afterward that appeared on PBS station WUFT. That story was submitted by Quan McWil.

It was reported that: Hammett Lee Bowen Jr. was born on November 30, 1947, and died on June 27, 1969. He was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military’s highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Bowen joined the Army from Jacksonville, Florida in 1965, and received basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He then was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia, to attend the Non-Commissioned Officer Course (NCOC). He was in Class 4–68, where he graduated as an infantryman NCO. By June 27, 1969, was serving as a staff sergeant in Company C, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. On that day, in Bình Dương Province, South Vietnam, during Operation Toan Thang III, Bowen smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him.

A portion of his Medal of Honor Citation reads as follows: As the platoon was moving back, an enemy grenade was thrown amid S/Sgt. Bowen and 3 of his men. Sensing the danger to his comrades, S/Sgt. Bowen shouted a warning to his men and hurled himself on the grenade, absorbing the explosion with his body while saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. S/Sgt. Bowen’s extraordinary courage and concern for his men at the cost of his life served as an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the military service and the U.S. Army.[2]

Hammett Bowen’s Medal of Honor and other memorabilia about his life are on display in the lobby of the Hammett Bowen Operations Center for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Ocala Florida. Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School in Ocala, Florida, is named in his honor.

Listen to episode 2815 and discover more about Army SSG Hammett L. Bowen Jr. and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Medal of Honor recipient Army MSG James Leroy Bondsteel

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2814 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army MSG James Leroy Bondsteel and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story appeared on the History Net website and was titled: James Leroy Bondsteel. This article appeared on Wikipedia and was submitted by an anonymous writer.

In the story it was reported that: James Leroy Bondsteel was born in Jackson, Michigan to Betty Jean Daisy and her fiancé, Kenneth Bondsteel. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1965 after graduating from Jonesville High School in Jonesville, Michigan.

Bondsteel enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1965 and was sent to Korea where he contributed his time to an orphanage. When his hitch in the Marine Corps ended, he then enlisted the United States Army, serving until his retirement in 1985. In 1969, he was deployed to Vietnam with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division where he received the Medal of Honor for his actions occurring May 24, 1969 near An Lộc, South Vietnam during Operation Toan Thang III. During his time in Vietnam, Bondsteel learned to speak Vietnamese and could differentiate between different regional dialects.

Parts of Bondsteel’s Medal of Honor Citation read as follows:  His exemplary leadership and great personal courage throughout the 4-hour battle ensured the success of his own and nearby units, and resulted in the saving of numerous lives of his fellow soldiers. By individual acts of bravery he destroyed 10 enemy bunkers and accounted for a large toll of the enemy, including 2 key enemy commanders. His extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life was in the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Listen to episode 2814 and discover more about Army MSG James Leroy Bondsteel and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Medal of Honor recipient Army SP4 Michael Reinert Blanchfield

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2813 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army Sp4 Michael Reinert Blanchfield and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story appeared on the History Net website and was titled: Michael R. Blanchfield. This article appeared on Wikipedia and was submitted by an anonymous writer.

In the story it was reported that: Michael Reinert Blanchfield was born on January 4, 1950 and died on July 3, 1969. He served as a United States Army soldier and was a recipient of the United States military’s highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

During a search and destroy operation in Binh Dinh Province, Blanchfield confronted a Viet Cong militant, who threw two grenades at him and his fellow soldiers. After being injured by the first grenade, Blanchfield threw himself on the second grenade and saved his fellow soldier’s lives.

Blanchfield joined the Army from Chicago, Illinois in 1967, and by July 3, 1969, was serving as a Specialist Four in Company A, 4th Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. On that day, in Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Blanchfield smothered the blast of a hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. Blanchfield, aged 19 at his death, was buried in All Saints Cemetery at Des Plaines, Illinois.

Portions of Blanchfield’s Medal of Honor citation stated: By his gallant action and self-sacrifice, he was able to save the lives and prevent injury to four members of the patrol and several Vietnamese civilians in the immediate area. extraordinary courage and gallantry 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.

Listen to episode 2813 and discover more about Army Sp4 Michael Reinert Blanchfield and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Medal of honor recipient Army Combat Medic Thomas W. Bennett

Episode 2812 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army Combat Medic Thomas W. Bennett and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story appeared on the History Net website and was titled: A Conscientious Objector’s Medal of Honor. This article was written by Edward F. Murphy and originally published in the June 2003 issue of Vietnam Magazine.

In his story Murphy reported that: The Vietnam War presented many young men with a moral dilemma as they became subject to the draft in the late 1960s. These were men whose deep-seated religious convictions held that killing was wrong, even in war. At the same time, a number of them also possessed a strong sense of patriotism and felt that service to one’s country was a vital duty. One youngster torn by those conflicting values was Thomas W. Bennett of Morgantown, West Virginia.

Tom Bennett saw himself as a moderator. Though raised as a Southern Baptist, he openly embraced the validity of all religions — hence his activities in the ecumenical council. He wanted devotees of different religions to share their similarities rather than face off over their differences. To learn more about different religions, he began attending services of different faiths, visiting some churches so often that parishioners thought he was one of them. Through these experiences his belief in the sanctity of human life solidified — a frequent theme when he preached at his own church.

On April 7, 1970, Tom Bennett’s 23rd birthday, President Richard M. Nixon presented his posthumous Medal of Honor to his mother and stepfather. When first notified of the award, Thus Thomas W. Bennett became the only conscientious objector to earn the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War.

Listen to episode 2812 and discover more about Army Combat Medic Thomas W. Bennett and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Medal of Honor recipient Air Force Captain Steven Bennett

The North American OV-10A Bronco

Episode 2811 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Air Force Captain Steven Bennett and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story appeared on the Medal of Honor Museum website and was titled: Captain Steven Bennett: Courage and Sacrifice in the Skies Over Vietnam.

Born in Palestine, Texas, in 1946, a young Steven Bennett later moved with his family to Louisiana. Bennett graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then University of Southwestern Louisiana) in 1965 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. As an ROTC graduate with a pilot’s license, Bennett entered the U.S. Air Force in August 1968 and earned his silver pilot’s wings in 1969.  Steven, when he was getting ready to propose marriage to his future wife Linda, told her that with him it would always be “God, Country, and then family in that order.”

Bennett first learned to fly the B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber and flew missions out of Thailand before transitioning to become a Forward Air Controller (FAC). Despite the significant drawdown of U.S. forces in Vietnam and the surging unpopularity of the conflict, Bennett was determined to keep serving in a combat capacity. Bennett requested a tour in Vietnam and was subsequently assigned to the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, flying North American OV-10A Broncos from the airbase at Da Nang.

It has been more than 50 years since Steven Bennett’s last flight over Vietnam, but his example remains as strong today as it did that fateful day in Vietnam. A determination to serve in harm’s way, even when that was unpopular. A commitment to do all he could to help his comrades on the ground, even when that demanded actions that created great risk. And his selfless sacrifice so that his crewmate could live, even at the risk of his own life, are powerful reminders of the best that serve in our military and deserve our nation’s highest military decoration.

Listen to episode 2811 and discover more about Air Force Captain Steven Bennett and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Medal of Honor recipient Army Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez

Episode 2810 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story appeared on the Grunge website and was titled: The Incredible True Story Of Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez. The story was submitted by Sarah January, a writer for Grunge.

In her story January reported that serving one’s country through military service is one of the bravest things a person can do, but it is also potentially one of the most dangerous. The risk of danger obviously increases when a country is at war. This was especially true once America entered the Vietnam War in 1954. According to History, following an attack on U.S. forces in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964, U.S. military presence increased, despite having been at war for a decade already. Increased military presence means more soldiers, and Raul “Roy” Benavidez answered the call.

While the name of Roy Benavidez is probably one you haven’t heard of, it is most definitely a name you should know. His story is one that makes all those war films look extremely pale in comparison and is almost too incredible to be true. Read on to find out more about one of the most unbelievable soldiers to ever serve the United States.

In less than a decade, Benavidez had risen through the ranks and become an elite among soldiers. One can assume he was extremely good at his job because in 1965, he was sent to Vietnam for the first time as an adviser to their army. It was during this deployment that something happened that changed his life forever.

General William C. Westmoreland nominated him for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor in 1973.

Listen to episode 2810 and discover more about Army Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Medal of Honor recipient Army SGT Ted Belcher

Episode 2809 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army SGT Ted Belcher and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story appeared on the Wikipedia website and was titled: Ted Belcher. The story was submitted by an anonymous writer to Wikipedia.

Ted Belcher was born on July 21, 1924. He died on November 19, 1966. He was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military’s highest decoration—the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was also a recipient of a Purple Heart, a National Defense Medal, and both the Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign Medals.

Belcher joined the Army from Huntington, West Virginia in April 1943, and served in World War II. By November 19, 1966, he was serving as a Sergeant in Company C, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. On that day, at Plei Djereng in the Republic of Vietnam, Belcher smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him.

Distinguishing himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life. Sgt. Belcher’s unit was engaged in a search and destroy mission with Company B, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, the Battalion Reconnaissance Platoon and a special forces company of civilian irregular defense group personnel. As a squad leader of the 2d Platoon of Company C, Sgt. Belcher was leading his men when they encountered a bunker complex. Distinguishing himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life. Sgt. Belcher’s unit was engaged in a search and destroy mission with Company B, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, the Battalion Reconnaissance Platoon and a special forces company of civilian irregular defense group personnel. As a squad leader of the 2d Platoon of Company C, Sgt. Belcher was leading his men when they encountered a bunker complex.

Listen to episode 2809 and discover more about Army SGT Ted Belcher and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC John Andrew Barnes III

Episode 2808 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army PFC John Andrew Barnes III and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story appeared on the Wikipedia website and was titled: John Andrew Barnes III. The story was submitted by an anonymous writer to Wikipedia.

Barnes was born in Boston, Massachusetts on April 16, 1945. When he was two years old, he was adopted by John A. Barnes, Jr. and his wife, Katherine. Their 18-year-old daughter, Carson, was a freshman in college at the time. From a young age, Barnes expressed an interest in joining the Army.

Shortly after graduating from Dedham High School, Barnes enlisted in the United States Army and went through basic training at Fort Pickett. He served for a year in Santo Domingo during the Dominican Civil War.

Barnes was sent to Vietnam as part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade on May 31, 1966. He was assigned to Company C of the 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry, he was a grenadier. Soldiers of the brigade became involved in Operation Attleboro in fall of 1966, an operation that started out as a small search and destroy mission north of Saigon but eventually involved 22,000 troops from 21 battalions. After serving one tour in Vietnam, Barnes went home, but volunteered to return to Vietnam and was sent back in the fall of 1967.

On November 12, 1967, while patrolling in Dak To District of Kon Tum Province during the Battle of Dak To, Barnes’ unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion. During the battle, Barnes manned a machine gun that had lost its crew to enemy fire and was credited with nine enemy kills. While retrieving more ammunition, Barnes dived on top of a grenade that had landed among American wounded in order to use his body to protect them from the blast. The grenade exploded, killing Barnes.

Listen to episode 2808 and discover more about Army PFC John Andrew Barnes III and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.