BENNETT, STEVEN L. *
Rank and Organization: Captain, U.S. Air Force. 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Pacific Air Forces
Place and date: Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam, 29 June 1972
Entered service at: Lafayette, Louisiana
Born: 22 April 1946, Palestine, Texas
Citation:
Capt. Bennett was the pilot of a light aircraft flying an artillery adjustment mission along a heavily defended segment of route structure. A large concentration of enemy troops was massing for an attack on a friendly unit. Capt. Bennett requested tactical air support, but was advised that none was available. He also requested artillery support but this too was denied due to the close proximity of friendly troops to the target. Capt. Bennett was determined to aid the endangered unit and elected to strafe the hostile positions. After 4 such passes, the enemy force began to retreat. Capt. Bennett continued the attack, but, as he completed his fifth strafing pass, his aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile, which severely damaged the left engine and the left main landing gear. As fire spread in the left engine, Capt. Bennett realized that recovery at a friendly airfield was impossible. He instructed his observer to prepare for an ejection, but was informed by the observer that his parachute had been shredded by the force of the impacting missile. Although Capt. Bennett had a good parachute, he knew that if he ejected, the observer would have no chance of survival. With complete disregard for his own life, Capt. Bennett elected to ditch the aircraft into the Gulf of Tonkin, even though he realized that a pilot of this type aircraft had never survived a ditching. The ensuing impact upon the water caused the aircraft to cartwheel and severely damaged the front cockpit, making escape for Capt. Bennett impossible. The observer successfully made his way out of the aircraft and was rescued. Capt. Bennett's unparalleled concern for his companion, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.
--- General / Personal ---
Last name: BENNETT
First name: STEVEN LOGAN
Home of Record (official): LAFAYETTE
State (official): LA
Date of Birth: Monday, April 22, 1946
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Married
--- Military ---
Branch: Air Force
Rank: CPT
Serial Number: 438664188
Component: Reserve
Pay grade: O3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): Unknown/Not reported
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Wednesday, April 19, 1972
Date of Casualty: Thursday, June 29, 1972
Age at time of loss: 26
Casualty type: (A3) Hostile, died while missing
Reason: Air loss - Crashed at sea (Pilot - Fixed wing aircraft)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Offshore, Military Region 1
The Wall: Panel 01W - Row 051
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