Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Specialist Fourth Class

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    5th Cavalry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division

    Action Date:

    March 11, 1967

    Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), General Orders (May 20, 1967)

    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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Donald Lee Bennett (ASN: US-54951881), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Specialist Fourth Class Bennett distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 11 March 1967, while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, during an engagement with an enemy force near the village of Phu Ninh in the Republic of Vietnam. As a member of a relief column which was attempting to link up with the remainder of his platoon, which had sustained several casualties, Specialist Bennett was moving down a trench line with his unit toward the beleaguered element when the column was taken under intense enemy machine gun fire and had to withdraw into the trench. Regrouped, the unit again tried to move down the trench into the enemy fire, but was again turned back. Receiving word that the platoon leader had been seriously wounded and that four other men had been killed, Specialist Bennett led the column forward into the heavy enemy fire, crawling down the trench in an effort to silence the enemy machine gun. Upon reaching the point at which the unit had been turned back twice before, Specialist Bennett courageously pushed on into the hostile fire, but was mortally wounded before reaching his objective. Specialist Bennett’s gallant action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.