The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward Clyde “Ted” Benfold (NSN: 4168234), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman attached to Company F, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 5 September 1952. When his company was subjected to heavy artillery and mortar barrages, followed by a determined assault during the hours of darkness by an enemy force estimated at battalion strength, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Benfold resolutely moved from position to position in the face of intense hostile fire, treating the wounded and lending words of encouragement. Leaving the protection of his sheltered position to treat the wounded when the platoon area in which he was working was attacked from both the front and rear, he moved forward to an exposed ridge line where he observed two marines in a large crater. As he approached the two men to determine their condition, an enemy soldier threw two grenades into the crater while two other enemy charged the position. Picking up a grenade in each hand, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Benfold leaped out of the crater and hurled himself against the on-rushing hostile soldiers, pushing the grenades against their chests and killing both the attackers. Mortally wounded while carrying out this heroic act, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Benfold, by his great personal valor and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, was directly responsible for saving the lives of his two comrades. His exceptional courage reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for others.