Cpl. Bennett: He Heard the Call and Gave Everything

Thomas William Bennett (April 7, 1947 – February 11, 1969) was a U.S. Army Corporal and medic who became the second conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor—following Desmond Doss, a medic in World War II. Bennett was killed in action during the Vietnam War and was posthumously awarded the nation's highest military honor for his bravery and selflessness.

Born in Morgantown, West Virginia, Bennett was sociable, deeply religious, and strongly patriotic. While a freshman at West Virginia University, he founded the Campus Ecumenical Council to promote interfaith dialogue.

In the fall of 1967, after being placed on academic probation, Bennett began considering his options if he lost his student deferment. Though opposed to killing on religious grounds, he still wished to serve his country. He chose to enlist as a conscientious objector willing to serve, a classification distinct from those who refuse all military involvement. He was trained as a field medic to aid soldiers in combat.

Bennett arrived in South Vietnam on January 1, 1969, assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, operating in the Central Highlands. His unit embarked on demanding patrols through dense, mountainous terrain. On February 9, 1969, they came under heavy enemy fire. Without hesitation, Bennett braved the gunfire to rescue at least five wounded soldiers, pulling them to safety. That evening, his platoon sergeant recommended him for the Silver Star for his heroism.

Over the next few days, Bennett repeatedly risked his life to tend to the wounded, refusing to abandon his fellow soldiers. On February 11, 1969, while attempting to reach a wounded soldier caught in sniper fire, Bennett was fatally shot. His extraordinary courage and sacrifice earned him the Medal of Honor posthumously.

Medal of Honor 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 several personnel who had suffered shrapnel and gunshot wounds. On 11 February, Company B again 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.

On 7 April 1970, his posthumous Medal of Honor was presented to his mother and stepfather by President Richard Nixon.