AIR COMMANDO 2 Bennett, Steven Logan

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Bennett
  • FORENAME
Steven Logan
  • UNIT
20th Tactical Air Support Squadron (504 T.A.S. Group)
  • RANK
Captain
  • NUMBER
438664188
  • DATE OF DEATH
29th June 1972
  • AGE
26
  • GRAVESITE
Lafayette Memorial Park,Lafayette,Lafayette Parish,Louisiana
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Lafayette,Louisiana
born 22.4.1946 Palestine,Texas
entered service 1968 Lafayette,Texas
husband of Linda Bennett (1 daughter Angela)
educated school,Palestine,Texas
award Medal of Honor
pilot (Covey Forward Air Contoller)
OV-10 68-3804
hit by missile and ditched in sea off Quang Tri Province,South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 01W Line 51
 

DATE OF DEATH:

29-Jun-1972

AWARD:

https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/bennett-steven-logan.30585/

CITATION:

Medal of Honor : The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Captain Steven Logan Bennett, United States Air Force (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 56th Special Operations Wing, in action over Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 29 June 1972. Captain Bennett was the pilot of a light aircraft flying an artillery adjustment mission along a heavily defended segment of route structure. A large concentration of enemy troops was massing for an attack on a friendly unit. Captain Bennett requested tactical air support but was advised that none was available. He also requested artillery support but this too was denied due to the close proximity of friendly troops to the target. Captain Bennett was determined to aid the endangered unit and elected to strafe the hostile positions. After four such passes, the enemy force began to retreat. Captain Bennett continued the attack, but, as he completed his fifth strafing pass, his aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile, which severely damaged the left engine and the left main landing gear. As fire spread in the left engine, Captain Bennett realized that recovery at a friendly airfield was impossible. He instructed his observer to prepare for an ejection, but was informed by the observer that his parachute had been shredded by the force of the impacting missile. Although Captain Bennett had a good parachute, he knew that if he ejected, the observer would have no chance of survival. With complete disregard for his own life, Captain Bennett elected to ditch the aircraft into the Gulf of Tonkin, even though he realized that a pilot of this type aircraft had never survived a ditching. The ensuing impact upon the water caused the aircraft to cartwheel and severely damaged the front cockpit, making escape for Captain Bennett impossible. The observer successfully made his way out of the aircraft and was rescued. Captain Bennett's unparalleled concern for his companion, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/2902
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