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{{short description|US Air Force officer and posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor}}
{{Infobox Military Person
{{Infobox military person
|name= Steven L. Bennett
|name= Steven L. Bennett
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1946|4|22}}
|lived= [[April 22]], [[1946]] - [[June 29]], [[1972]]
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1972|6|29|1946|4|22}}
|placeofbirth=
|birth_place=[[Palestine, Texas]]
|image= [[Image:Steven_L_Bennett.jpg|200px]]
|death_place=[[Gulf of Tonkin]], off [[Quang Tri Province]], [[South Vietnam|Republic of Vietnam]]
|allegiance= [[United States Air Force|United States Air Force]]
|placeofburial= Lafayette Memorial Cemetery, [[Lafayette, Louisiana]]
|serviceyears= 1968-1972
|placeofburial_label= Place of burial
|rank= Captain
|image= Steven L Bennett.jpg
|unit= [[20th Tactical Air Support Squadron]], [[Pacific Air Forces]]
|medal=Airforce moh.jpg
|allegiance=United States of America
|branch= {{air force|United States}}
|serviceyears= 1968–1972
|rank= [[File:US-O3 insignia.svg|15px]] [[Captain (United States)|Captain]]
|unit= [[20th Tactical Air Support Squadron]]<br/>[[Pacific Air Forces]]
|battles= [[Vietnam War]]
|battles= [[Vietnam War]]
* [[Second Battle of Quảng Trị]] {{KIA}}
|awards= [[Medal of Honor]]
|awards= [[Medal of Honor]]<br/>[[Purple Heart]] (2)<br/>[[Air Medal]] (4)<br/>[[Cheney Award]]
}}
}}
'''Steven Logan Bennett''' (April 22, 1946 – June 29, 1972) was a [[United States Air Force]] pilot who posthumously received the [[Medal of Honor]] for heroism during the [[Vietnam War]] on August 8, 1974.


==Early life==
'''Steven Logan Bennett''' ([[April 22]], [[1946]] - [[June 29]], [[1972]]) of [[Palestine, Texas]] was a [[United States Air Force]] pilot who was posthumously awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for heroism during the [[Vietnam War]] on [[April 8]], [[1974]]. He is the namesake of the ship [[MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett]] and his name is engraved on the [[Vietnam Memorial]] at Panel 01W - Row 051.
Bennett was born on 1946 in Palestine, Texas, but grew up in [[Lafayette, Louisiana]]. He graduated from Youngsville High School in 1964 and then went on to attend [[Southwestern Louisiana Institute]], graduating with a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/medal-of-honor-captain-steven-logan-bennett-united-states-air-force/|title=Medal of Honor, Captain Steven Logan Bennett, United States Air Force|first=Bryan|last=Swopes|newspaper=This Day in Aviation|access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=180|title=Steven L. Bennett|newspaper=Veteran Tributes|access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref>


==Military Service==
==Military career==
On August 12, 1968, Bennett was commissioned a [[second lieutenant]] in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force [[ROTC]] program at the Southwestern Louisiana Institute. In October 1969, he completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at [[Webb Air Force Base]] in Texas.
Steven Bennett entered the [[Air Force]] in 1968, and earned his pilot wings at [[Webb AFB]], [[Texas]]. In 1970, he completed the [[B-52 bomber]] training course at [[Castle AFB]], CA. He then transitioned to become a [[Forward Air Controller]] (FAC), and graduated from the FAC and fighter training courses at [[Cannon AFB]], [[New Mexico]], before reporting to [[Vietnam]] in early 1972. He had only been in combat for three months before his [[Medal of Honor]] mission and had also won the [[Air Medal]] with three oak leaf clusters.
After completing combat crew training in the [[B-52 Stratofortress]] at [[Castle Air Force Base]] in California, Bennett was assigned to the [[325th Bomb Squadron]] at [[Fairchild Air Force Base]] in Washington, in May 1970.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":2"/>


===Vietnam war===
Captain Bennett was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. President [[Gerald Ford]] presented the decoration to Captain Bennett’s wife, Linda, at the [[Blair House]] on [[August 8]], [[1974]]. Bennett is buried in Lafayette Memorial Cemetery at [[Lafayette, Louisiana]] He was survived by his wife and one child.
In his first tour of duty in Southeast Asia from September to December 1970, he flew combat missions in the B-52 from [[U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield]]. After returning to United States, Bennett completed upgrade training to [[OV-10 Bronco]] and was assigned as a forward air controller with the [[20th Tactical Air Support Squadron]] at [[Da Nang Air Base]] in [[South Vietnam]] in late April 1972.<ref name=":2"/>


==Medal of Honor Citation==
===Medal of Honor action===
On June 29, 1972, Captain Bennett, a forward air controller, was flying an OV-10 Bronco on an artillery adjustment mission in [[Quảng Trị province]], South Vietnam. A Marine gunfire spotter occupied the rear seat of the OV-10.<ref name=":AF">{{cite web|url=https://www.afhistory.af.mil/FAQs/Fact-Sheets/Article/639641/bennett-capt-steven-l-bennett/|title=Steven L. Bennett|newspaper=Air Force Historical Support Division|access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref>
<blockquote>

After controlling gunfire from U.S. Navy ships offshore and directing air strikes against enemy positions for approximately three hours, Bennett received an urgent call for assistance. A small [[South Vietnamese Army]] unit was about to be attacked by a much larger [[North Vietnam]]ese force. Without immediate help, the unit was certain to be overrun. Unfortunately, there were no friendly fighters left in the area, and supporting naval gunfire would have [[friendly fire|endangered]] the South Vietnamese.<ref name=":AF" />[[File:U.S._Air_Force_North_American_OV-10A_Bronco_fires_a_rocket_over_Vietnam,_circa_in_1969_(79431435).jpg|thumb|U.S. Air Force North American OV-10A Bronco fires a rocket over Vietnam, circa in 1969]]As a result, Bennett decided to strafe the advancing enemy soldiers. Since they were North Vietnamese regulars, equipped with heat-seeking [[9K32 Strela-2]] missiles, the risks in making a low-level attack were great. Bennett nonetheless zoomed down and opened fire. The troops scattered and began to fall back under repeated strafing. As Bennett pulled up from his fifth attack, an enemy soldier fired a missile at the aircraft and struck the OV-10's left engine. The explosion set the engine on fire and knocked the left landing gear from its stowed position, leaving it hanging down. The canopies over the two airmen were pierced by fragments.<ref name=":AF"/>

Bennett veered southward to find a field for an emergency landing. As the fire in the engine continued to spread, he was urged by the pilot of an escorting OV-10 to eject, as the wing of Bennett's OV-10 was in danger of exploding. Bennett then learned that his observer's parachute had been shredded by fragments in the explosion. He then elected to ditch in the [[Gulf of Tonkin]], although Bennett knew that his cockpit area would very likely break up on impact. As he touched down, the extended landing gear dug into the water. The OV-10 spun to the left and flipped over nose down into the sea. His Marine companion managed to escape, but Bennett, trapped in his smashed cockpit, sank with the plane. Bennett's body was recovered the next day.<ref name=":AF"/>

For sacrificing his life, Captain Bennett was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The decoration was presented to his widow by [[Vice President of the United States]] [[Gerald Ford]] on August 8, 1974.<ref name=":AF"/>

==Awards and decorations==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|-
|colspan="4"|[[File:United_States_Air_Force_Pilot_Badge.svg|200px]]
|-
|-
|colspan="4"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=oak|other_device=|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=|ribbon=Air Force Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|other_device=v|ribbon=Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=|ribbon=USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg |width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|other_device=|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="12"|[[USAF Aeronautical Ratings#Pilot ratings|USAF pilot badge]]
|-
|colspan="6"| [[Medal of Honor]]
|colspan="6"| [[Purple Heart]]<br>with bronze [[oak leaf cluster]]
|-
|colspan="4"|[[Air Medal]]<br>with three bronze oak leaf clusters
|colspan="4"|[[Commendation Medal#Air Force|Air Force Commendation Medal]]
|colspan="4"|[[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]]<br>with [["V" device]] and bronze oak leaf cluster
|-
|colspan="4"|[[National Defense Service Medal]]
|colspan="4"|[[Vietnam Service Medal]]<br>with bronze [[campaign star]]
|colspan="4"|[[Air Force Longevity Service Award]]
|-
|colspan="4"|[[Marksmanship Ribbon#Air Force|Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon]]
|colspan="4"|[[Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)|Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation]]
|colspan="4"|[[Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|-
|}
*Bennett posthumously also received the [[Cheney Award]] for his efforts to save his fellow airman at the risk of his own life.

===Medal of Honor citation===
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR
posthumously to<br>
posthumously to<br/>
CAPTAIN STEVEN L. BENNETT<br>
CAPTAIN STEVEN L. BENNETT<br/>
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE<br>
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE<br/>
20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Pacific Air Forces.<br>
[[20th Tactical Air Support Squadron]], Pacific Air Forces.<br/>
Place and date of action: Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam, 29 June 1972.<br>
Place and date of action: Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam, June 29, 1972.<br/>
For service as set forth in the following<br>
For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:<br>
'''Citation:'''
Capt. Bennett was the pilot of a light aircraft flying an artillery adjustment mission along a heavily defended segment of route structure. A large concentration of enemy troops was massing for an attack on a friendly unit. Capt. Bennett requested tactical air support, but was advised that none was available. He also requested artillery support, but this too was denied due to the close proximity of friendly troops to the target. Capt. Bennett was determined to aid the endangered unit and elected to strafe the hostilen positions. After four such passes, the enemy force began to retreat. Capt. Bennett continued to attack, but, as he completed his fifth strafing pass, his aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile, which severely damaged the left engine and the left main landing gear. As fire spread in the left engine, Capt. Bennett realized that recovery at a friendly airfield was impossible. He instructed his observer to prepare for an ejection, but was informed by the observer that his parachute had been shredded by the force of the impacting missile. Although Capt. Bennett had a good parachute, he knew that if he ejected, the observer would have no chance of survival. With complete disregard for his own life, Capt. Bennett elected to ditch the aircraft into the Gulf of Tonkin, even though he realized that a pilot of this type aircraft had never survived a ditching. The ensuing impact upon the water caused the aircraft to cartwheel and severely damaged the front cockpit, making escape for Capt. Bennett impossible. The observer

successfully made his way out of the aircraft and was rescued. Capt. Bennett’s unparalleled concern for his companion, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.<br>
<blockquote>Capt. Bennett was the pilot of a light aircraft flying an artillery adjustment mission along a heavily defended segment of route structure. A large concentration of enemy troops was massing for an attack on a friendly unit. Capt. Bennett requested tactical air support but was advised that none was available. He also requested artillery support but this too was denied due to the close proximity of friendly troops to the target. Capt. Bennett was determined to aid the endangered unit and elected to strafe the hostile positions. After 4 such passes, the enemy force began to retreat. Capt. Bennett continued the attack, but, as he completed his fifth strafing pass, his aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile, which severely damaged the left engine and the left main landing gear. As fire spread in the left engine, Capt. Bennett realized that recovery at a friendly airfield was impossible. He instructed his observer to prepare for an ejection, but was informed by the observer that his parachute had been shredded by the force of the impacting missile. Although Capt. Bennett had a good parachute, he knew that if he ejected, the observer would have no chance of survival. With complete disregard for his own life, Capt. Bennett elected to ditch the aircraft into the Gulf of Tonkin, even though he realized that a pilot of this type aircraft had never survived a ditching. The ensuing impact upon the water caused the aircraft to cartwheel and severely damaged the front cockpit, making escape for Capt. Bennett impossible. The observer successfully made his way out of the aircraft and was rescued. Capt. Bennett's unparalleled concern for his companion, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.<ref name="citation">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html|title=Medal of Honor recipients - Vietnam (A-L)|date=August 3, 2009|publisher=[[United States Army Center of Military History]]|accessdate=2009-09-21|archive-date=2009-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627093600/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="CMOS">{{Cite web |url=http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3230/bennett-steven-l.php |title=BENNETT, STEVEN L. |website=CMOHS}}</ref></blockquote>

(signed) GERALD R. FORD
(signed) GERALD R. FORD

</blockquote>
===Other honors===
Bennett is the namesake of the ship {{MV|Capt. Steven L. Bennett|T-AK-4296}} and his name is engraved on the [[Vietnam Memorial]] at Panel 01W - Row 051. There have been numerous other dedications held in his honor. They range from streets being named after him to buildings, including a gymnasium and a cafeteria, a sports arena and VFW posts, and many monuments. Bennett has been mentioned in several military history books and has a public park named in his honor in Palestine, Texas.

==Personal life==
Bennett and Linda Leveque were married in September 1968. The Bennetts had a daughter, Angela Bennett Engele, who lives in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and is the current president of the OV-10 Association located in Fort Worth and the Volunteer Administrator (a volunteer position) for the Fort Worth Aviation Museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nwfdailynews.com/story/news/military/2019/08/29/woman-who-lost-fathers-military-dog-tags-gifted-replicas/4351229007/|title='I have my security blanket again'|first=Ashleigh|last=Wilde|newspaper=Northwest Florida Daily News|date=2019-09-29|access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
*[[List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War#B|List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [http://www.zianet.com/tedmorris/dg/tt060428.pdf Tropical Times article]
*{{USGovernment|url=https://www.afhistory.af.mil/FAQs/Fact-Sheets/Article/639641/bennett-capt-steven-l-bennett/|agency=United States Air Force}}
* [http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/citations/bennett.htm Medal of Honor Citation] at msc.mil


==External links==
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/docs/n19971113_971432.htm article at Air Force News]
*{{Find a Grave|6020138|work=Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients|accessdate=2009-01-28}}
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/BB/fbeyv.html Handbook of Texas Online article]
*{{cite web|accessdate=October 5, 2010 |url=http://www.zianet.com/tedmorris/dg/tt060428.pdf |title=Tropical Times article |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061203212117/http://www.zianet.com/tedmorris/dg/tt060428.pdf |archivedate=December 3, 2006 }}
* {{cite book
*{{cite web |accessdate=October 5, 2010 |url=http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/citations/bennett.htm |title=Medal of Honor citation}} at msc.mil
| last = Schneider
*{{cite web |accessdate=October 5, 2010 |url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/docs/n19971113_971432.htm |title=article at Air Force News}}
| first = Donald K.
*{{cite web |accessdate=October 5, 2010 |url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbeyv |title=Handbook of Texas Online article}}
| authorlink = Donald K. Schneider
*{{Cite book
| title = Air Force Heroes in Vietnam
|last = Schneider
| publisher = University Press of the Pacific
| date = December 2002
|first = Donald K.
|authorlink = Donald K. Schneider
| location = Washington
|title = Air Force Heroes in Vietnam
| isbn = 1410203840 }}
|publisher = University Press of the Pacific
* [http://www.mishalov.com/Bennett_S.html article at] mishalov.com
|date=December 2002
|location = Washington
|isbn = 1-4102-0384-0}}
*{{cite web |accessdate=October 5, 2010 |url=http://www.mishalov.com/Bennett_S.html |title=article at mishalov.com}}


[[category:1946 births|Bennett, Steven L.]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bennett, Steven L.}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[category:1972 deaths|Bennett, Steven L.]]
[[Category:Air Force Medal of Honor recipients|Bennett, Steven L.]]
[[Category:1972 deaths]]
[[Category:United States Air Force officers|Bennett, Steven L.]]
[[Category:United States Air Force Medal of Honor recipients]]
[[Category:Military personnel of the Vietnam War|Bennett, Steven L.]]
[[Category:United States Air Force officers]]
[[Category:American Vietnam War killed in action|Bennett, Steven L.]]
[[Category:People from Palestine, Texas]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]]
[[Category:University of Louisiana at Lafayette alumni]]
[[Category:Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor]]
[[Category:Aviators killed by being shot down]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1972]]
[[Category:United States Air Force personnel killed in the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Texas]]
[[Category:Aviators from Texas]]

Latest revision as of 15:52, 6 July 2024

Steven L. Bennett
Born(1946-04-22)April 22, 1946
Palestine, Texas
DiedJune 29, 1972(1972-06-29) (aged 26)
Gulf of Tonkin, off Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam
Place of burial
Lafayette Memorial Cemetery, Lafayette, Louisiana
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service1968–1972
Rank Captain
Unit20th Tactical Air Support Squadron
Pacific Air Forces
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Purple Heart (2)
Air Medal (4)
Cheney Award

Steven Logan Bennett (April 22, 1946 – June 29, 1972) was a United States Air Force pilot who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Vietnam War on August 8, 1974.

Early life

[edit]

Bennett was born on 1946 in Palestine, Texas, but grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana. He graduated from Youngsville High School in 1964 and then went on to attend Southwestern Louisiana Institute, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering.[1][2]

Military career

[edit]

On August 12, 1968, Bennett was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at the Southwestern Louisiana Institute. In October 1969, he completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Webb Air Force Base in Texas. After completing combat crew training in the B-52 Stratofortress at Castle Air Force Base in California, Bennett was assigned to the 325th Bomb Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington, in May 1970.[1][2]

Vietnam war

[edit]

In his first tour of duty in Southeast Asia from September to December 1970, he flew combat missions in the B-52 from U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield. After returning to United States, Bennett completed upgrade training to OV-10 Bronco and was assigned as a forward air controller with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam in late April 1972.[2]

Medal of Honor action

[edit]

On June 29, 1972, Captain Bennett, a forward air controller, was flying an OV-10 Bronco on an artillery adjustment mission in Quảng Trị province, South Vietnam. A Marine gunfire spotter occupied the rear seat of the OV-10.[3]

After controlling gunfire from U.S. Navy ships offshore and directing air strikes against enemy positions for approximately three hours, Bennett received an urgent call for assistance. A small South Vietnamese Army unit was about to be attacked by a much larger North Vietnamese force. Without immediate help, the unit was certain to be overrun. Unfortunately, there were no friendly fighters left in the area, and supporting naval gunfire would have endangered the South Vietnamese.[3]

U.S. Air Force North American OV-10A Bronco fires a rocket over Vietnam, circa in 1969

As a result, Bennett decided to strafe the advancing enemy soldiers. Since they were North Vietnamese regulars, equipped with heat-seeking 9K32 Strela-2 missiles, the risks in making a low-level attack were great. Bennett nonetheless zoomed down and opened fire. The troops scattered and began to fall back under repeated strafing. As Bennett pulled up from his fifth attack, an enemy soldier fired a missile at the aircraft and struck the OV-10's left engine. The explosion set the engine on fire and knocked the left landing gear from its stowed position, leaving it hanging down. The canopies over the two airmen were pierced by fragments.[3]

Bennett veered southward to find a field for an emergency landing. As the fire in the engine continued to spread, he was urged by the pilot of an escorting OV-10 to eject, as the wing of Bennett's OV-10 was in danger of exploding. Bennett then learned that his observer's parachute had been shredded by fragments in the explosion. He then elected to ditch in the Gulf of Tonkin, although Bennett knew that his cockpit area would very likely break up on impact. As he touched down, the extended landing gear dug into the water. The OV-10 spun to the left and flipped over nose down into the sea. His Marine companion managed to escape, but Bennett, trapped in his smashed cockpit, sank with the plane. Bennett's body was recovered the next day.[3]

For sacrificing his life, Captain Bennett was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The decoration was presented to his widow by Vice President of the United States Gerald Ford on August 8, 1974.[3]

Awards and decorations

[edit]
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
V
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
USAF pilot badge
Medal of Honor Purple Heart
with bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Medal
with three bronze oak leaf clusters 		Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
with "V" device and bronze oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal
with bronze campaign star 		Air Force Longevity Service Award
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
  • Bennett posthumously also received the Cheney Award for his efforts to save his fellow airman at the risk of his own life.

Medal of Honor citation

[edit]

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
CAPTAIN STEVEN L. BENNETT
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Pacific Air Forces.
Place and date of action: Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam, June 29, 1972.
For service as set forth in the following

Citation:

Capt. Bennett was the pilot of a light aircraft flying an artillery adjustment mission along a heavily defended segment of route structure. A large concentration of enemy troops was massing for an attack on a friendly unit. Capt. Bennett requested tactical air support but was advised that none was available. He also requested artillery support but this too was denied due to the close proximity of friendly troops to the target. Capt. Bennett was determined to aid the endangered unit and elected to strafe the hostile positions. After 4 such passes, the enemy force began to retreat. Capt. Bennett continued the attack, but, as he completed his fifth strafing pass, his aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile, which severely damaged the left engine and the left main landing gear. As fire spread in the left engine, Capt. Bennett realized that recovery at a friendly airfield was impossible. He instructed his observer to prepare for an ejection, but was informed by the observer that his parachute had been shredded by the force of the impacting missile. Although Capt. Bennett had a good parachute, he knew that if he ejected, the observer would have no chance of survival. With complete disregard for his own life, Capt. Bennett elected to ditch the aircraft into the Gulf of Tonkin, even though he realized that a pilot of this type aircraft had never survived a ditching. The ensuing impact upon the water caused the aircraft to cartwheel and severely damaged the front cockpit, making escape for Capt. Bennett impossible. The observer successfully made his way out of the aircraft and was rescued. Capt. Bennett's unparalleled concern for his companion, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.[4][5]

(signed) GERALD R. FORD

Other honors

[edit]

Bennett is the namesake of the ship MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett (T-AK-4296) and his name is engraved on the Vietnam Memorial at Panel 01W - Row 051. There have been numerous other dedications held in his honor. They range from streets being named after him to buildings, including a gymnasium and a cafeteria, a sports arena and VFW posts, and many monuments. Bennett has been mentioned in several military history books and has a public park named in his honor in Palestine, Texas.

Personal life

[edit]

Bennett and Linda Leveque were married in September 1968. The Bennetts had a daughter, Angela Bennett Engele, who lives in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and is the current president of the OV-10 Association located in Fort Worth and the Volunteer Administrator (a volunteer position) for the Fort Worth Aviation Museum.[6]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Swopes, Bryan. "Medal of Honor, Captain Steven Logan Bennett, United States Air Force". This Day in Aviation. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Steven L. Bennett". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Steven L. Bennett". Air Force Historical Support Division. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients - Vietnam (A-L)". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2009-09-21.
  5. ^ "BENNETT, STEVEN L." CMOHS.
  6. ^ Wilde, Ashleigh (2019-09-29). "'I have my security blanket again'". Northwest Florida Daily News. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
[edit]
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