We’ve been exploring some incredible soldiers lately, and today’s story is no different. It’s about Master Sergeant Raul ‘Roy’ Benavidez, a man known for his determination, courage, and resilience. His story is so inspiring that he’s often called the Lazarus soldier. Let’s dive into his life, from a tough childhood to his heroic military career.
Roy Benavidez was born on August 5, 1935, in Cuero, Texas, to a family of Mexican American heritage. His early life was tough. His father, Salvador, passed away when Roy was just three, and his mother, Teresa, died four years later. Roy and his younger brother, Roger, went to live with their uncle and aunt in El Campo, Texas. Roy left school in the seventh grade to help support his family by working in the fields.
In the early 1950s, opportunities were limited for someone like Roy, who had left school early. So, in 1952, at age 17, he joined the Texas National Guard. Two years later, he enlisted in the US Army, where he received infantry training. His service took him to South Korea and Germany. In 1959, he returned to the US, married his childhood sweetheart, Hilaria Coy, and they had three children together. The Army became more than just a job for Roy; it was a fulfilling career. He trained as a military police officer and paratrooper, joining the 82nd Airborne Division.
By 1965, Roy was in Vietnam, advising the South Vietnamese Army. During a patrol, he stepped on a landmine, severely injuring his spine. Doctors told him he would never walk again, which was devastating news for someone whose life was the military. But Roy was determined to prove them wrong.
Ignoring medical advice, Roy began a secret recovery plan. Every night, he would drag himself to a wall and work on standing up. After nine months of hard work, he could walk again, surprising his doctors. He then underwent intense rehabilitation and training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, preparing to return to active duty.
In January 1968, Roy returned to Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group. Just months later, on May 2, he heard a distress call from a team surrounded by enemy forces. Without hesitation, he jumped on a helicopter with only a knife and medical kit. Despite being wounded multiple times, Roy fought bravely, provided medical aid, and coordinated airstrikes to save his comrades.
After six hours of intense combat and over 30 wounds, Roy was mistakenly declared dead. But he managed to signal a doctor, proving he was still alive. He spent nearly a year recovering and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. In 1981, after much effort from his commander, Roy received the Medal of Honor from President Reagan.
Roy Benavidez passed away on November 29, 1998, but his legacy lives on. Schools and military facilities are named in his honor. He always saw himself not as a hero but as someone who did his duty, saying, “The real heroes are the ones who gave their lives for their country. I just did what I was trained to do.”
Research more about Roy Benavidez’s life and military career. Create a presentation highlighting key events and his contributions. Focus on how his determination and resilience can inspire others. Present your findings to the class.
Engage in a role-playing exercise where you reenact the heroic actions of Roy Benavidez during the Vietnam War. Work in groups to script and perform a short play that captures his bravery and quick thinking in the face of danger.
Write a short story or a diary entry from the perspective of Roy Benavidez during a pivotal moment in his life. Use descriptive language to convey his emotions and thoughts, focusing on his resilience and determination to overcome challenges.
Participate in a class discussion or debate about the qualities that make someone a hero. Use Roy Benavidez’s story as a case study to explore different perspectives on heroism, courage, and duty. Share your views and listen to others.
Create an art piece that represents Roy Benavidez’s legacy and the impact of his actions. This could be a drawing, painting, or digital artwork. Display your work in the classroom and explain the symbolism and elements you chose to include.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any sensitive or potentially offensive content while maintaining the essence of the story:
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We have been covering some remarkable soldiers here at Biographics lately. Today’s subject is no exception and would likely rank among the very top due to his determination, courage, tactical competence, and resilience. This is the extraordinary story of Master Sergeant Raul ‘Roy’ Benavidez, known as the Lazarus soldier, and of his three lives. This exceptional individual never surrendered in the face of adversity, from childhood to military life. Those familiar with his story often remember him for a six-hour battle during which, at great personal sacrifice, he held at bay an entire battalion of North Vietnamese infantry to save eight wounded comrades. But how did he get there? And what happened afterward? Let’s begin with a challenging childhood in Texas.
Roy Raul Perez Benavidez, also known as ‘Roy,’ was born in Cuero, Texas, on August 5, 1935, into a family of Mexican Americans in DeWitt County, Texas. His father, Salvador, worked as a sharecropper and was married to Teresa Perez, an American Yaqui Indian. Roy’s childhood was marked by hardship. Salvador passed away from tuberculosis when Roy was just three years old. Four years later, Teresa also died from the same illness. Roy and his younger brother, Roger, were sent to live with their Uncle Nicholas, Aunt Alejandra, and eight cousins in El Campo, Texas. Roy dropped out of school in the seventh grade to help support the family, working in the fields.
In the early 1950s, opportunities for a farm laborer who was also a school dropout were limited. Roy found a chance for a career and a better future in the military. In 1952, at age 17, he enlisted in the Texas National Guard. Two years later, he joined the US Army as Private Benavidez, receiving infantry training at Fort Ord, California. His service took him to South Korea and then Germany. Upon returning to the States in 1959, he reunited with Hilaria Coy, a childhood sweetheart, and they married on June 7. They had three children: Noel, Yvette, and Denise. By this time, Army life for Benavidez was not just a means to provide for his family; it was a fulfilling life. He expanded his training and attended military police school in Fort Gordon, Georgia, becoming a paratrooper and being assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.
By 1965, Benavidez was on a tour of duty in Vietnam, acting as a military adviser to the South Vietnamese Army. One day, while on a solo patrol mission, he stepped on a landmine, resulting in severe injuries to his spine. He was evacuated to Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio and then to Fort Sam Houston, where doctors delivered the devastating news that he would never walk again, necessitating his discharge from the military. To him and his family, active service meant life; a discharge felt like a death sentence.
What Roy Benavidez did in the following weeks would be described as miraculous. Ignoring medical advice, he embarked on a recovery program in secret. Every night, he would drag himself to the nearest wall and work to stand, determined to walk again and return to Vietnam. After nine months of relentless effort, a doctor presented him with discharge papers, but Benavidez demonstrated his ability to walk, impressing the doctor and earning his freedom from the hospital.
After leaving the hospital, Roy Benavidez underwent months of rigorous rehabilitation and training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the main training center for the US Army Special Forces. He entered Fort Bragg with a limp but soon was running five to ten miles and doing 1,500 push-ups daily while honing his parachuting skills.
In January 1968, Staff Sergeant Roy Benavidez returned to Vietnam, assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Airborne Group, with the code name ‘Tango Mike Mike.’ Just a couple of months later, he would engage in the military action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. On May 2, 1968, while attending Mass at the Loc Ninh Green Beret outpost, he received a panicked radio call for help from a reconnaissance team surrounded by an enemy battalion.
Benavidez, knowing the men involved, made a snap decision to assist them. He jumped aboard a helicopter armed only with a knife and medical kit. Upon reaching the site, he faced intense enemy fire, sustaining multiple injuries but continuing to fight and provide medical assistance to his comrades. Despite being wounded, he called in airstrikes and coordinated the evacuation of his team, demonstrating extraordinary bravery and leadership.
After enduring six hours of intense combat and suffering over 30 wounds, Benavidez was initially declared dead when he was brought to a field hospital. However, he managed to attract the attention of a doctor, who was astonished to find that he was still alive. Benavidez spent nearly a year recovering from his injuries, during which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
In 1981, after a lengthy campaign led by his new commander, Colonel Ralph Drake, Benavidez was finally awarded the Medal of Honor by President Reagan. Throughout his life, he continued to advocate for education and support for veterans, sharing his story and inspiring others.
Roy Benavidez passed away on November 29, 1998, after battling diabetes and its complications. His legacy lives on through the many tributes paid to him, including schools and military facilities named in his honor. He viewed himself not as a hero but as someone who did his duty, stating, “The real heroes are the ones who gave their lives for their country. I just did what I was trained to do.”
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This version maintains the core narrative while ensuring the language is respectful and appropriate.
Roy Benavidez – A highly decorated American soldier known for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War, where he saved the lives of several comrades despite being severely wounded. – Roy Benavidez’s bravery during the Vietnam War earned him the Medal of Honor, highlighting his extraordinary courage and dedication to his fellow soldiers.
Military – Relating to the armed forces or to soldiers, arms, or war. – The military strategies employed during World War II were crucial in determining the outcome of the conflict.
Vietnam – A Southeast Asian country that was the site of a prolonged conflict known as the Vietnam War, involving North Vietnam and its communist allies against South Vietnam and the United States. – The Vietnam War had a significant impact on American society and foreign policy during the 1960s and 1970s.
Army – The branch of a nation’s armed services that conducts military operations on land. – The United States Army played a pivotal role in the liberation of Europe during World War II.
Courage – The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery, especially in a military context. – The soldiers displayed immense courage as they advanced under heavy enemy fire during the battle.
Recovery – The process of returning to a normal state of health, mind, or strength, often after a military conflict or injury. – After the war, the nation focused on recovery and rebuilding its infrastructure and economy.
Honor – High respect or esteem, often awarded for acts of bravery or service in the military. – The Medal of Honor is awarded to military personnel who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor.
Combat – Fighting between armed forces, especially during a war. – The soldiers were trained extensively in combat tactics to prepare for their deployment overseas.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to the lasting impact of historical events or figures. – The legacy of the Civil Rights Movement continues to influence social justice efforts today.
Soldier – A person who serves in an army, especially one who is trained to fight in combat. – Each soldier was committed to the mission, understanding the importance of their role in the larger strategy.
