Excerpts from ‘146 Heroes’: Edward C. Benfold

OPINION:

The book “146 Heroes,” highlights the valor and sacrifice of the Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients of the Korean War.

Edward C. Benfold

Born: January 15, 1931

Rank and organization: Hospital Corpsman Third Class, U.S. Navy, Attached to a Company of Marines, 1st Marine Division

Conflict/Era: Korean War

Place and date: Korea, September 5, 1952

Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving in operations against enemy aggressor forces. 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, HC3c. 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 ridgeline 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, HC3c. Benfold leaped out of the crater and hurled himself against the onrushing hostile soldiers, pushing the grenades against their chests and killing both the attackers. Mortally wounded while carrying out this heroic act, HC3c. 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.

Credit: Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Mount Pleasant, SC

• The Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation sponsored by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and Korea Defense Veterans Association published the Korean Medal of Honor Full-text Citation in foreign language for the first time in history.