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Benito Martinez (soldier)
Encyclopedia
Corporal Benito Martinez (April 21, 1932-September 6, 1952) was a United States Army
soldier who posthumously received the Medal of Honor
— the United States' highest military decoration — for his actions on the near Satae-ri in Korea during the Korean War
. Martinez was mortally wounded while solely defending his outpost. His actions enabled his company to take back the terrain which they had lost.
. There, he received his primary and secondary education. He joined the United States Army
at the recruiting station in his hometown. Martinez completed his basic training
and was eventually assigned to Company A (Able Company) of the 25th Infantry Division.
and in July was put on alert. By July 18, the entire division was in Pusan in Republic of Korea.
On February 23, 1952, the 25th Division, under the command of Major General Ira P. Swift, was in the front line in the center of the X Corps sector near Mundung-ni northeast of the Hwach'on Reservoir. The division assumed the front line routine of patrols, ambushes, artillery exchanges, and bunker maintenance. The division also secured and defended forward outposts beyond the main line of resistance.
Martinez's unit, the 2nd Platoon of A Company, inherited a position known as Sandbag Castle from Charlie Company (C Company). On the night of September 5, 1952, Corporal Martinez was in Outpost Agnes performing forward listening post duties. Outpost Agnes was a bunker
large enough to hold four soldiers. Shortly after midnight, the North Koreans began shelling Sandbag Castle. During a lull in the shelling, the men of the 27th inside the castle were able to spot crawling North Korean soldiers whose intentions were to cut off the forward bunkers and Outpost Anges.
Martinez ordered the three men in his bunker to return to the Sandbag Castle. His commanding officer, Lieutenant McLean called him on the sound power telephone and ordered him to get out. Martinez, knowing the situation better than anyone, replied that he would have to stay on and delay the North Koreans as long as possible. Martinez remained at his post and with his machinegun inflicted numerous casualties on the attacking troops. When he ran out of ammunition
he retreated to a bunker destroyed by enemy shelling and from there continued his assault with a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Martinez was mortally wounded before his unit was able to counterattack and regain their terrain.
On December 29, 1953, President Harry S. Truman
presented the family of Benito Martinez with the Medal of Honor.
BENITO MARTINEZ
Rank and organization:Corporal, U.S. Army, Company A, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
Place and date:Near Satae-ri Korea, September 6, 1952.
Entered service at:Fort Hancock, Texas
Born: March 21, 1931, Fort Hancock, Texas
G.O. No.: 96, December 29, 1953
Citation:
in El Paso, Texas
. Both cities, El Paso and Fort Hancock, have honored his memory by naming elementary schools after him.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier who posthumously received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
— the United States' highest military decoration — for his actions on the near Satae-ri in Korea during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. Martinez was mortally wounded while solely defending his outpost. His actions enabled his company to take back the terrain which they had lost.
Early years
Martinez was a Mexican-American born to Mr. and Mrs. Francisco Martinez in Fort Hancock, TexasFort Hancock, Texas
Fort Hancock is a census-designated place in Hudspeth County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,713 at the 2000 census. Fort Hancock and El Porvenir, Chihuahua area is connected by the Fort Hancock-El Porvenir International Bridge.-Geography:...
. There, he received his primary and secondary education. He joined the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
at the recruiting station in his hometown. Martinez completed his basic training
Basic Training
Basic Training may refer to:* Basic Training, a 1971 American documentary directed by Frederick Wiseman* Basic Training , an American sex comedy* Recruit training...
and was eventually assigned to Company A (Able Company) of the 25th Infantry Division.
Korean War
The North Korean Communist forces invaded the Republic of Korea on June 25, 1950. The 27th Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (whose nickname was "Wolfhounds") was stationed in HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
and in July was put on alert. By July 18, the entire division was in Pusan in Republic of Korea.
On February 23, 1952, the 25th Division, under the command of Major General Ira P. Swift, was in the front line in the center of the X Corps sector near Mundung-ni northeast of the Hwach'on Reservoir. The division assumed the front line routine of patrols, ambushes, artillery exchanges, and bunker maintenance. The division also secured and defended forward outposts beyond the main line of resistance.
Martinez's unit, the 2nd Platoon of A Company, inherited a position known as Sandbag Castle from Charlie Company (C Company). On the night of September 5, 1952, Corporal Martinez was in Outpost Agnes performing forward listening post duties. Outpost Agnes was a bunker
Bunker
A military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
large enough to hold four soldiers. Shortly after midnight, the North Koreans began shelling Sandbag Castle. During a lull in the shelling, the men of the 27th inside the castle were able to spot crawling North Korean soldiers whose intentions were to cut off the forward bunkers and Outpost Anges.
Martinez ordered the three men in his bunker to return to the Sandbag Castle. His commanding officer, Lieutenant McLean called him on the sound power telephone and ordered him to get out. Martinez, knowing the situation better than anyone, replied that he would have to stay on and delay the North Koreans as long as possible. Martinez remained at his post and with his machinegun inflicted numerous casualties on the attacking troops. When he ran out of ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
he retreated to a bunker destroyed by enemy shelling and from there continued his assault with a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Martinez was mortally wounded before his unit was able to counterattack and regain their terrain.
On December 29, 1953, President Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
presented the family of Benito Martinez with the Medal of Honor.
Medal of Honor citation
- Cpl. Martinez, a machine gunner with Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. While manning a listening post forward of the main line of resistance, his position was attacked by a hostile force of reinforced company strength. In the bitter fighting which ensued, the enemy infiltrated the defense perimeter and, realizing that encirclement was imminent, Cpl. Martinez elected to remain at his post in an attempt to stem the onslaught. In a daring defense, he raked the attacking troops with crippling fire, inflicting numerous casualties. Although contacted by sound power phone several times, he insisted that no attempt be made to rescue him because of the danger involved. Soon thereafter, the hostile forces rushed the emplacement, forcing him to make a limited withdrawal with only an automatic rifle and pistol to defend himself. After a courageous 6-hour stand and shortly before dawn, he called in for the last time, stating that the enemy was converging on his position His magnificent stand enabled friendly elements to reorganize, attack, and regain the key terrain. Cpl. Martinez' incredible valor and supreme sacrifice reflect lasting glory upon himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service.
Honors
Cpl. Benito Martinez was buried in Fort Hancock Cemetery and exhumed in the 1980s to be buried with full military honors at Fort Bliss National CemeteryFort Bliss National Cemetery
Fort Bliss National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the United States Army post of Fort Bliss, in El Paso County, Texas. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005, had 42,141 interments.-History:...
in El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
. Both cities, El Paso and Fort Hancock, have honored his memory by naming elementary schools after him.
Awards and recognitions
Among Benito Martinez's decorations and medals were the following:Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... |
Purple Heart The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York... |
National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... |
| Korean Service Medal Korean Service Medal The Korean Service Medal is an award of the United States military and was created in November 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary United States medal for participation in the Korean War and is awarded to any U.S. service member, who... with two bronze stars |
United Nations Service Medal United Nations Service Medal The United Nations Service Medal for Korea is an international military decoration which was established by the United Nations on December 12, 1950... |
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients
- Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients