Sen. Cruz Introduces Legislation to Honor Medal of Honor Recipient Master Sgt. Benavidez

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced legislation to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic in Victoria, Texas, as the Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic. The legislation honors Master Sergeant Roy Perez Benavidez, a South Texas native and Medal of Honor recipient who served in the U.S. Army Special Forces during the Vietnam War.

Sen. Cruz said, "Naming the Victoria VA clinic after Master Sergeant Roy Perez Benavidez honors one of our nation's most decorated soldiers. Born in Cuero, Texas, he earned the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War. His courage, patriotism, and sacrifice exemplify the highest traditions of American military service. Master Sergeant Benavidez's extraordinary service continues to inspire generations of Texans."

U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas-27) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Cloud said, "Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez embodied the courage and selflessness that define our nation's heroes. Naming this clinic in his honor will be a fitting tribute to his legacy of service as well as that of the veterans who pass through its doors every day."

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND:

Master Sergeant Roy Perez Benavidez was born in Cuero, Texas. He enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard in 1952 and entered active duty in the United States Army in 1955. He volunteered for the Army Special Forces after completing airborne training, and served with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) during the Vietnam War.

On May 2, 1968, Benavidez volunteered to rescue a 12-man reconnaissance team surrounded by a much larger North Vietnamese force. Armed only with a medical bag and a knife, he spent nearly six hours under intense enemy fire rescuing wounded personnel, organizing the defense, directing air support, recovering classified documents, and evacuating surviving team members. Despite sustaining dozens of gunshot, shrapnel, and bayonet wounds, he refused evacuation until the mission was complete. President Ronald Reagan awarded him the Medal of Honor on February 24, 1981 for his extraordinary heroism during the battle.

After retiring from the Army in 1976, Master Sergeant Benavidez advocated for veterans, mentored young Americans, and traveled throughout the country speaking about military service, patriotism, leadership, and sacrifice.