VIETNAM - BENTON, JOHNNY WILLIAM

Benton, Johnny William

VIETNAM - BENTON, JOHNNY WILLIAM
BENTON, JOHNNY WILLIAM

Rank: First Lieutenant

Unit: Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

MOS: 1981 – Air Observation Pilot

Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Badges: Army Aviator Badge

Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device

Note: OH-6A, Tail # 67-16234, Co-pilot
Flight class: 68-14, Fort Wolters, Texas

Enlisted by: Reserve

Commission Source: Armor OCS Class 27-67 G1, Fort Knox, Kentucky

Date of birth: 14-May-1947

Hometown: Jerome, Idaho

Marital status: Never Married

Campaign: Vietnam Conflict

Entered service: 20-Jun-1966

Start of tour: 21-Oct-1968

Incident date: 25-Nov-1968

Date of casualty: 25-Nov-1968

Age at death: 21

Cause of death: Hostile, Died. Helicopter Crash — Crew (MC). Aircraft loss, crash not at sea.
Johnny William Benton died from would received while co-pilot of military aircraft on reconnaissance operation when hit by hostile small arms fire. Aircraft did not crash or burn.

Location of fatality: Binh Duong, South Vietnam

Place of interment: Jerome Cemetery, Jerome, Idaho, USA

View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)

Vietnam Veterans Memorial panel and row: 38W 054 (view Vietnam Veterans Memorial link in a new window)

 

DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS

DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
POSTHUMOUS

FIRST LIEUTENANT JOHNNY WILLIAM BENTON, ARMOR
25 NOVEMBER 1968
AIR CAVALRY TROOP
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT

First Lieutenant Benton distinguished himself for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 25 November 1968, while serving as an Aircraft Commander with the Air Cavalry Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while conducting a low level reconnaissance of a suspected Viet Cong position, Lieutenant Benton observed four armed communist soldiers entrenched in a well- fortified defensive position. After relaying the enemy’s position to the troop commander, Lieutenant Benton, showing a high degree of courage and complete disregard for his personal safety, fully exposed himself to the enemy ground elements while making three low level passes over the hostile positions in order to mark them precisely with smoke grenades. At this time, the friendly aircraft received an intense barrage of enemy automatic weapons fire, mortally wounding Lieutenant Benton. His heroic actions in locating the enemy elements were instrumental in their destruction. First Lieutenant Benton’s unwavering devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and disregard of personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 46 (January 7, 1969)