Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Calvert
Potter
Benedict
May 26, 1924

–

February 21, 2011

Cemetery:

United States Military Academy Cemetery

Calvert Benedict graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1946. He retired in 1981 as a U.S. Army Major General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 9, 1968
    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3646 (July 29, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Calvert Potter Benedict (ASN: 0-28286), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Benedict distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 February 1968 as Commanding Officer of an infantry battalion during its assault on a heavily fortified Viet Cong base camp. As supporting artillery fire pounded the insurgent stronghold, Colonel Benedict deployed armored personnel carriers against it and personally led his infantry in the attack. Despite intense hostile sniper and automatic weapons fire, he moved through the battle area, placing his troops in strategic positions. Upon reaching the first enemy bunker complex, the armored personnel carriers were halted by the fierce volume of hostile fire. With complete disregard for his safety, Colonel Benedict moved through the fusillade to the point of heaviest contact. As the Viet Cong fire became more intense, Colonel Benedict ran through a hail of shrapnel from exploding rockets and mounted the armored personnel carriers one by one to reorganize the crew members and direct their fire. Inspired by his courageous example, his men fought with renewed determination. When he had established effective cover, Colonel Benedict ordered the assault force to withdraw so artillery and air strikes could be employed against the Viet Cong. He then braved heavy sniper fire as he organized a defensive perimeter and personally supervised the evacuation of wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Benedict’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Calvert Potter Benedict (ASN: 0-28286), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Benedict distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in 1967 and 1968. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Benedict, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Calvert Potter Benedict (ASN: 0-28286), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Benedict distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in 1967 and 1968. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Benedict, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major General Calvert Potter Benedict (ASN: 0-28286), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Benedict and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Calvert Potter Benedict (ASN: 0-28286), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Benedict distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in 1967 and 1968. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Benedict, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Calvert Potter Benedict (ASN: 0-28286), United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty while serving Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Colonel Benedict’s outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General Calvert Potter Benedict (ASN: 0-28286), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Benedict and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.