A Texas Hero: The Real Rambo
As a kid, July 4th was one of my favorite holidays. It was summer, there was good food and fun times in the pool. And then there were the fireworks. Somehow, we survived shooting bottle rockets and roman candles at each other. Oh, the joys of creating your own fun!
With age, I realized the 4th of July is an investment story. The American colonists wanted a better return on their investment in the new land. However, that was difficult due to punitive tax policies from the British. And the colonists did not want to be beholden to a monarchy. These founders of our nation were truly super investors.
Obviously, the 1700’s were critical to the formation of our republic, democracy and capitalism. However, the freedoms we enjoy have required constant reinvestment to ensure our treasured way of life.
One of these “super investors” was Raul “Roy” Benavidez.
Benavidez was born outside of Cuero, Texas. By the time he was seven, he was orphaned having lost both parents to tuberculosis. He moved to El Campo to be raised by a variety of family members. After dropping out of school at 15, he soon joined the military.
Initially, Benavidez was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and ultimately trained for the Army Special Forces. Once qualified, he became a member of the 5th Special Forces Group. This, alone, was impressive for a man with no formal education.
In 1965, while on reconnaissance, he stepped on a land mine and was evacuated to Fort Sam Houston. While being treated for his wounds he was told his military career was over and he’d never walk again. Motivated by an intense call of duty and patriotism, Benavidez created his own rehab workouts in which he would get out of bed at night slowly crawling on his elbows and chin. As fellow patients cheered him on, Benavidez slowly overcame excruciating pain to regain the use of his legs. After more than a year of sheer will and determination, he walked out of the hospital.
For most humans, this would be the defining chapter of service to our nation. However, the master sergeant returned to active duty in 1968.
In May of 1968, Benavidez heard an appeal for help over the radio. A 12-man Special Forces patrol were surrounded by a North Vietnamese infantry battalion of about 1,000 men. There was no hesitation. Armed with only his knife and a medic bag, Benavidez sprinted to a helicopter, ordering the pilot to get him to the trapped soldiers. Once there, the super-human exploits continued as Benavidez jumped 30 plus feet from the helicopter rushing to the aid of comrades.
Methodically, the Green Beret from Texas began defending the other soldiers. He saved the lives of at least eight men while taking constant fire. Ultimately, over six hours, Benavidez was shot 37 times, stabbed with a bayonet and incurred shrapnel wounds during the fire fight. Despite these severe injuries, Benavidez provided cover fire as his comrades boarded the extraction helicopter.
The battle in hell left its toll on Benavidez. The men were evacuated, but the master sergeant lay lifeless. As a doctor examined him, they placed him in a body bag. While paying respect to the fallen soldier and hero, they began zipping up the body bag. Before they could finish, Benavidez spit in the doctor’s face. It was the only thing he could do to show he was alive.
Benavidez survived and was awarded many medals, including four Purple Hearts and the Medal of Honor. In 1981, he was named “Texan of the Year,” the same year that President Reagan said about Benavidez, “If the story of his heroism were a movie script, you wouldn’t believe it.”
There is so much to be learned from those that have served our nation.
Freedom is not free. It must constantly be reinforced. Take time to thank those who served our nation.
You never know what you can overcome until you try. The next time you think, “I can’t,” think of Roy Benavidez. Resilience is the key.
By living in the US, you can pursue any occupation or religion. As our Declaration of Independence says, we are created equal. You are endowed by your Creator with certain unalienable Rights, among which are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
God Bless America.
Dave Sather is a Certified Financial Planner and the CEO of the Sather Financial Group, a fee-only strategic planning and investment management firm.
President Ronald Reagan, right, stands beside Medal of Honor recipient retired MSGT Roy P. Benavidez, U.S. Army, during a ceremony at the Pentagon.
