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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) George T. Bensema (ASN: 0-5420648), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Bensema distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 31 January 1968, while serving as a forward observer with Company D, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 50th Infantry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during a combat mission near Binh Tri, Republic of Vietnam. When the third platoon of his unit became pinned down by intense enemy fire and the platoon leader was seriously wounded, Lieutenant Bensema volunteered to go to the aid of the stricken element and to link it up with the rest of the company. In leading the platoon toward the remainder of the company it was again pinned down by fire from an enemy bunker. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Bensema exposed himself to the intense hostile fire as he assaulted the emplacement and threw two hand grenades inside. As he rushed inside the bunker he was wounded by an enemy officer whom he killed with his rifle. Throughout the remainder of the battle, Lieutenant Bensema continued to command the platoon. In addition, he directed artillery and the fire from an armed helicopter on the enemy positions. His gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    7th Battalion

    Regiment:

    13th Artillery

    Action Date:

    December 26, 1967
    Headquarters, I Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 131 (February 17, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) George T. Bensema (ASN: 0-5420648), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. First Lieutenant Bensema distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 December 1967 at Phu Cat Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, while serving as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 7th Battalion, 13th Artillery. Upon observing a CH-47 helicopter crash on landing, Lieutenant Bensema rushed to the scene of the crash. Despite the great danger caused by leaking aviation fuel and a burning engine he climbed inside the crashed aircraft, thereby covering his own clothing with highly flammable aviation fuel, and assisted in the removal of injured personnel. After the removal of all the seriously injured, Lieutenant Bensema, still at the risk of his life, remained in the immediate vicinity of the aircraft assisting medical personnel in evacuation of the injured. Lieutenant Bensema’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    7th Battalion

    Regiment:

    13th Artillery

    Action Date:

    March 9, 1968
    Headquarters, I Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 204 (March 12, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) George T. Bensema (ASN: 0-5420648), United States Army, for exceptional heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 9 March 1968 while assigned to Battery C, 7th Battalion, 13th Artillery as the forward observer for Company D, 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment. At 0300 the position came under intense rocket, mortar and small arms fire from a North Vietnamese Army Battalion. The command carrier, in which Lieutenant Bensema was sleeping, received a direct hit by a B-40 rocket seriously wounding himself and the infantry company commander. In spite of the painful wounds Lieutenant Bensema received in his head, neck and shoulder, he pulled the wounded commander from the burning vehicle and moved him to a safer position. Ignoring his own wounds and acting with complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Bensema continually exposed himself to intense hostile fire in finding an operable radio, calling in artillery fire and personally manning a 50 caliber machine gun. Lieutenant Bensema’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with a numerically superior force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.