MEDAL OF HONOR: A Vietnam Warrior's Story

by Roy P. Benavidez, John R. Craig, H. Ross Perot (Foreword)

A former member of the U.S. Army Special Forces and Vietnam veteran describes his rise from the poverty and bigotry of South Texas, experiences during two tours in Vietnam, recovery from crippling wounds, and what it means to have been awarded the Medal of Honor.

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Biography, Military History, Memoir

234 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1995

Reviews

[Richard Mendenhall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew this man as "Tango". We were in the same unit, B-56 Sigma Group, in Vietnam. I was on the radio coordinating the battle for which he eventually got the Medal of Honor. Sadly after he was evacuated out most of us thought he had died and I never knew he won the Medal of Honor. Tango single handedly save eight lives of soldiers in our unit. As I was reading the book I wanted to contact him, only to find that he died in 1999.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it about war that tests the very souls of men in such a way as to bring out the very best and the very worst of the human experience? For some the physical, emotional, and spiritual toll of battle is practically insurmountable. For others the challenges of war are a call to greater sacrifice, service, perseverance, and personal achievement. M. Sgt. Roy P. Benavidez, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, was a man for whom extreme hardship was just another opportunity to prove his character. His autobiography is America’s story. He never gave up. He kept the faith in God’s divine providence and purpose. He lived a life devoted to “Honor, Duty, Country.”

Finishing his book today I noted a contact address. Mental pen in hand, I pulled open my laptop to fire off a letter of gratitude for his service to our Nation, thanking M. Sgt. Benavidez (Ret.) for sharing his Catholic faith and courage, for preserving the fortitude of his life for future generations. At the same time I pulled up his Medal of Honor web page and, with tears pouring down my face, discovered he’d passed into our heavenly home just 4 short years after leaving this gift of his life’s story (published in 1995). And it is a gift, as he speaks to me here alive, not dead, with powerful words, a monument to the strength of the human soul, the glory of America.

http://www.medalofhonor.com/RoyBenavi...

“I believe there is no greater calling for a man or woman than to serve in the military of a free nation. I believe that it is a calling that transcends all others because imbedded deep within the soul of every free man or woman is the knowledge that every freedom that we have was earned for us by our ancestors, who paid some price for that freedom. Each and every generation must relearn those lessons, and they are best learned by doing. The strength of every free nation depends on this transfer of knowledge. Only through the transfer of knowledge from generation to generation will free men survive.”

M. Sgt. Roy P. Benavidez (Ret.)
Tango Mike/Mike

[David Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe of Roy Benavidez. The citation for his Medal of Honor is the longest and most impressive I have ever read. He earned the medal over and over on the 2nd of May 1968 fighting in the Republic of Vietnam. Every America should read the citation: http://www.history.army.mil/moh/vietn....

Roy Benavidez was half Mexican and half Yaqui Indian. He was intimately familiar with prejudice and poverty, yet had an unshakable love for his country. One could wish that it was better told, but it is an amazing story of an amazing man and well worth reading.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The biography of Tango Mike/Mike a man that stepped on a landmine, lived, willed himself to walk again and then went and joined the Green Berets. He went on to save 8 men in a fierce battle that he entered armed with only a medical bag and a Bowie knife. He was shot five times, hit with two grenades, bayoneted multiple times and clubbed with the rifle of one enemy soldier that ran out of ammunition. The fact that there isn't a movie about this man is a reflection of the misguided interest of the majority of the population.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a big reader of biographies/autobiographies. however, I did enjoy reading this book. I wanted to know more about this American hero because I am a Spanish teacher and I chose him as one of our historical "people of the week". I thought the book would be rather dull for me, but I was wrong. It is amazing what this man went through for our country. It wasn't a long book, and most of the stories he chose to write about were very interesting.

[Rudy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young boy, I was enamored with all things Rambo. Scriptwriters would have saved a lot of time and told an even more exciting story had they brought this true story to the Silver Screen. Roy Benavidez tells an amazing story of persistence and dedication, and echoing nearly all combat memoirs I have read, the futility of war when crucial decisions are made by the politicians in the offices and not the soldiers in the field.

[Phoebe223 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't do a review that would do this man justice. Incredible life. Everybody can learn from this and I feel humbled to live in America because of people like him.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very powerful book. Roy is truly a hero and deserving of the Medal of Honor, just makes me sad about what he had to do to get it. He shouldn't have had to fight and claw his way to obtain this medal. Also, makes me very sad to learn more about the Vietnam war, so many losses, both people killed and people maimed, etc. I lost a lot of friends and have friends who still suffer from this horrible conflict. After reading this book, I don't think "anyone" was in charge. So sad.

[Marv Gordner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book about a true American hero. When they were changing the name of US Army bases, they should have re-named Fort Bragg--Fort Benavidez. One of 50 CMH (Congressional Medal of Honor) winners from Fortress Bragg--But none surpasses MSG Benavidez.

[Santiago Arellanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and suspenceful.

[OT Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, absolute hero and incredible human being!

[Steven Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book by a true American Hero that was subjected to the most unbelievable humiliation by bureaucrats in the VA and elsewhere in the Deep State as it truly existed in the years following the Vietnam War.
Well worth reading.
Five Stars for certain.