Bennett, Thomas W.

...CITATION...

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond
the call of duty. Cpl. Bennett distinguished himself while serving as a platoon medical aidman
with the 2d Platoon, Company B, during a reconnaissance-in-force mission. On 9 February the
platoon was moving to assist the 1st Platoon of Company D which had run into a North
Vietnamese ambush when it became heavily engaged by the intense small arms, automatic
weapons, mortar and rocket fire from a well fortified and numerically superior enemy unit.
In the initial barrage of fire, 3 of the point members of the platoon fell wounded. Cpl. Bennett,
with complete disregard for his safety, ran through the heavy fire to his fallen comrades,
administered life-saving first aid under fire and then made repeated trips carrying the
wounded men to positions of relative safety from which they would be medically evacuated
from the battle position. Cpl. Bennett repeatedly braved the intense enemy fire
moving across open areas to give aid and comfort to his wounded comrades.  He valiantly
exposed himself to the heavy fire in order to retrieve the bodies of several fallen personnel.
Throughout the night and  following day, Cpl. Bennett moved from position to position
treating and comforting the severalpersonnel who had suffered shrapnel and gunshot wounds.
On 11 February, Company Bagain moved in an assault on the well fortified enemy positions
and became heavily engaged with the numerically superior enemy force. Five members of
the company fell wounded in the initial assault. Cpl. Bennett ran to their aid without
regard to the heavy fire. He treated 1 wounded comrade and began running toward
another seriously wounded man. Although the wounded man was located forward of the
company position covered by heavy enemy grazing fire and Cpl. Bennett was warned that it
was impossible to reach the position, he leaped forward with complete disregard for his
safety to save his comrade's life. In attempting to save his fellow soldier, he was mortally
wounded.  Cpl. Bennett's undaunted concern for his comrades at the cost of his
life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.