The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Lee Roy Bendell (MCSN: 0-50744), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 24 January 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell deployed his battalion in support of a convoy ambushed on Route 9 and maneuvered his companies with extreme skill against a North Vietnamese Army force determined to destroy the convoy route. During the night, attack elements of Company M were heli-lifted to a position overlooking the ambush site and early the following morning he employed them to provide covering fire for the evacuation of casualties and the removal of damaged vehicles from the area. Throughout the day, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell repeatedly exposed himself to enemy small arms and mortar fire while coordinating the evacuation and clearing operations and directing the fire of his men. When the remainder of his battalion arrived on foot, he deployed his companies into defensive positions and maintained the security of the route throughout the night. Early the following morning, repositioning his companies on hills surrounding the ambush site, he secured areas 1,000 meters to the east and west of Route 9. Before daybreak on 27 January, Company M, positioned on a hill to the north, came under intense mortar and anti-tank weapons fire and was temporarily pinned down by elements of a reinforced North Vietnamese Army battalion. Moving continuously between his command post, Combat Operations Center and observation post, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell expertly maneuvered his units into positions to reinforce the besieged company. In the ensuing fire fight, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell called in and directed fire support missions against the enemy in coordination with a counterattack by one of his companies. Disregarding his own safety, he moved from one key position to another, encouraging his officers and directing their activities. On one occasion, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell obtained a casualty’s rifle and directed accurate fire against the enemy. When one of his companies sustained several casualties, including the commanding officer and gunnery sergeant, he unhesitatingly exposed himself to the intense enemy fire as he moved to the position, reorganized the company and directed an attack against the enemy. Under his dynamic leadership and motivated by his indomitable fighting spirit, his battalion repulsed the enemy’s effort to overrun the Marines’ position and thereby opened Route 9 to convoy traffic. Throughout, his professional attitude and steadfast determination inspired all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his exceptional leadership, resolute courage and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
July 20, 1967 – July 26, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Lee Roy Bendell (MCSN: 0-50744), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service while serving with the THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam, from 20 July 1967 to 26 July 1968. During this period, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Initially assigned as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, he displayed exceptional leadership and an extensive knowledge of tactics as he molded his battalion into a highly effective unit, capable of aggressively conducting numerous combat operations along the Demilitarized Zone. In order to better observe and direct combat actions, he frequently exposed himself to hostile artillery, mortar and rocket fire as he moved to forward elements and points of heavies contact to advise and encourage unit commanders. By his sound tactical judgment and fearless actions, he inspired an aggressive fighting spirit among his men that contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of all assigned missions. Reassigned on 28 April 1968 as the Division Plans Officer, G-3 Section, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell exhibited a thorough knowledge of friendly and enemy tactics and terrain as he worked with seemingly tireless energy and meticulous attention to detail while supervising the preparation of comprehensive plans and operation orders. Displaying resolute determination, he ensured that every conceivable problem was thoroughly evaluated and resolved before recommending a course of action. As a result of his expert knowledge of his subject and ability to present his plans in an articulate manner, he was able to generate a spirit of enthusiastic cooperation during the execution of the planned actions. By his superior professionalism, superb leadership and unwavering devotion to duty throughout, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell rendered distinguished service to his country and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Bendell is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
August 1972 – July 1975
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Lee Roy Bendell (MCSN: 0-50744), United States Marine Corps, for The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Lee Roy Bendell (MCSN: 0-50744), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Officer-in-Charge, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA), Camp Pendleton, California, from August 1972 through July 1975. Throughout this period, Colonel Bendell guided MCTSSA from a dispersed, newly formed agency with loosely defined functions into a cohesive, organized, fully functioning activity in a new facility making a significant contribution to the development of combat effective tactical systems for the Marine Corps. He supervised the total efforts of the MCTSSA, which under his guidance more fully realized its role as the focal point within the Marine Corps for the development and support of automated tactical systems. The projects he supervised spanned the entire spectrum of tactical air and ground systems for command and control, communications, position location, data processing, and electronic warfare. The diversity and complexity, both in scope and substance, of the tasks directed by Colonel Bendell required a knowledgeable, industrious, resourceful officer. Displaying inspiring leadership and innovativeness, he eagerly accepted the challenge presented and performed all duties with unwavering dedication while maintaining high morale in an activity with an every-increasing work load. Colonel Bendell’s personal contribution was immeasurable and its effect on the future combat capabilities of the Marine Corps will be profound and far-reaching; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.