Customer Reviews

Medal of Honor: One Man's Journey from Poverty and Prejudice

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I was privileged to know and very fortunate to have served with Roy Benavidez. His entire life was a struggle: from his difficult early years in Texas, to his incredible struggle to remain in the Army after his first tour's devastating wounds, to his amazing jump status qualification after the doctors told him he would never walk again, to his incredible heroism that resulted in the MOH (but only after another long battle with the bureaucracy that refused to acknowledge heroism at a time that the country was trying to "forget" Vietnam) and finally, the redemption that came on the White House steps with the MOH ceremony, the "last" MOH given out for Vietnam service. I am glad that Brassey's has put the book out in paperback so that kids can read about Roy and learn to never give up. God Bless You, Roy.

Roy Benevidez must have been an incredible person. The feelings and thoughts he shares through out the book shows that behind "The Medal" there was a very real individual. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what really goes through the mind of a hero.

I met MSG Benavidez in 1990 while stationed in NJ. I had the distinct honor of driving him around for 2 days while he was there to speak, and that experience will stay with me for the rest of my life. One thing that I remember is him saying that 22 years later metal fragments were still occasionally working their way out of his body.

I still have his picture hanging on my wall after 14 years. I have an extremely short list of hero's; Roy Benavidez holds the top slot...

MSG Roy Benevidez was an amazing person, and that's putting it mildly. In spite of his fearful wounds from his first tour-of-duty and doctors saying that he would never walk again, he went on to become an elite member of the US Army Special Forces. His actions in combat showed him to be brave, his actions after made him a hero. Roy Benevidez was not out to gain glory and status from his actions, nor did he ever look for pity because of his humble upbringings. Though his ancestry was Mexican-Indian and Hispanic, he always said, "I prefered to think of myself simply as an American." He had a "never say die" attitude, and strong sense of morals. He possesed neither vanity nor false modestly, and he served as an example of what one can accomplish in a lifetime. Sadly, MSG Roy Benevidez died in 1998. He truely was an American Hero! May God bless his soul.

Medal of Honor: One Man's Journey From Poverty and Prejudice (Memories of War) can be summed up in one word... INSPIRATIONAL. The story of a boy growing up in Southern poverty and prejudice who becomes an elite soldier with the Green Berets. This is a story of cross-culture brotherhood and about Roy Perez Benavidez, American Hero. Roy's radio call handle was TANGO-MIKE-MIKE (TMM) which stands for a term of both teasing and respect... "That Mean Mexican" Roy's reputation as TANGO-MIKE-MIKE was tested most when he reacted to a radio call for help from a South Vietnam infantry patrol under heavy fire. The patrol was led by fellow members of Roy's Green Beret unit and was facing ten-to-one odds against soldiers from the North Vietnam Army. Armed with his knife and grabbing a medical bag Roy charges onto one of the evacuation helicopters just as it begins to take off. While under withering gun fire, Roy jumps out of the chopper and runs to his comrades aid. He organizes scared and confused troops to fight back against the waves of attackers. He carries and drags wounded onto the helicopters, being wounded multiple times in the process. He killed an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat and nearly dies getting his troops back to base. Roy was so badly wounded that he was mistaken for dead. Paralyzed, the only way he could keep the Army doctor from proclaiming him dead and sealing him up alive in a plastic body-bag was to spit blood in his face! I met Roy in the office of Jane Patton (now my wife) in 1974 when she crafted the Medal-Of-Honor (MOH) package for Roy. Roy looked like a professional soldier and yet had a kindness of heart. During the presentation of Roy's MOH, President Ronald Reagan commented on the citation stating that Hollywood could not write a more incredible story than the exploits of Master Sergeant, Roy Benavidez. Roy has been honored in many ways for that heroic day in the jungles of Vietnam. Even though Roy passed away, to this day whenever a Special Forces soldier needs desperate help against over-whelming odds he calls for TANGO-MIKE-MIKE.Vietnam Medal of Honor Heroes

The deeds of American Heroes are overlooked in our modern society and never more truly than in the case of Master Sargent Roy P. Benavidez. A Vietnam Special Forces soldier, M. Sgt. Benavidez's shocking story of honor, courage and devotion to his country & his fellow soldiers outshines the works of any fiction author; if it wasn't true than I wouldn't have believed it. M. Sgt. Benavidez came from less-than humble beginnings, overcame racial tension and entered the elite of the US Army. Wounded during his first tour, M. Sgt. Benavidez recovered from a paralyzing combat injury only return for a second tour in Vietnam during which he voluntarily engaged impossible odds to rescue 8 men while again receiving severe injuries in armed & hand-to-hand combat. Medal of Honor is a must-read for anyone with any interest in the Vietnam War, the Military or the sacrifices made by the true heroes who have made and maintained the freedom of our nation. Read it because his is a story that needs to be told.

Anyone issued the MOH in the past 75 years is indeed a hero. Very often, the medal is awarded due to incredible valor displayed when a warrior finds himself in the most dire circumstances, fighting for his life and for his fellow soldiers.

But Benavidez, the readers will learn, was safe in base camp listening to the mission commo when he heard that his 12 teammates were being overwhelmed by hundreds of NVA. He quickly learned that everyone on the team was seriously hit, or dead. He knew it would all be over soon, unless someone could get on the ground to help them. Even then, rescue would be almost impossible. Several choppers had already been shot down.

Roy nonetheless jumped aboard a Huey and asked the pilot to drop him into the gunfight, prepared to give all for his teammates.

product just as descibed from a very fast and friendly seller. Great book about an American hero that more people should know about. Rambo has nothing on Roy! Duty, Honor and Country were not just a slogan to MSG Benavidez. This man should be a hero to kids, not ego-mad musicians and athletes. Great story!

I frist met Roy in late 1969 at Ft. Riley, Kan., he was driving for Gen. Linville, I was drafted and was serving in the 508th. M.P. Batt., quartred on main post.
I remember him as a young man that always had a smile on his face.
I would bump into him at the motor pool or on post some place while he was driving for the General and we would just talk and pass the time of day.
One day I noticed him parked out side of the theatre on Custer Hill, while I was on MP road patrol and pulled in to talk to him, while we were talking the General came out and Roy left. Roy later told me the Gereral wanted to know what the MP's wanted and if he had gotten a violation, Roy told him we were just friends.
I had no idea at the time that Roy was such a hero, I did notice that he had the DSC and multiple awards of the PH and that he was a beret but I had no idea he was up for the MOH for his actions in VN.
I will always remember him as a very nice, down to earth guy with a big smile on his face and young sitting in his sedan waiting for the General.

I'd heard the legend of M Sgt Roy P Benevidez and wondered about the full story. Now I have the book!

My purchase arrived quickly, in excellent condition and at a great price! What more can you ask for??? Amazon is top-notch in my book!