|
|
| |
| |
Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Edward Clyde Benfold, US Navy
Obituary
Edward Clyde Benfold was born on Staten Island, New York, on January 15, 1931 and at the age of 6, came with his family to the Borough of Haddon Heights. He was the only child of Edward S. Benfold, a British citizen who was born in Calcutta, India, and Glenys MacKensie Adams Benfold from Bucksport, Maine. His father was a Merchant Marine Officer during World War II and, while serving on the Merchant Ship USS CASTILLA (a troop transport ship in the Atlantic), drowned when the ship was torpedoed and sunk by an enemy submarine while carrying troops to the European front. Following his death, Edward's father was the recipient of the U. S. Merchant Mariners' Medal.
Known by his friends as Teddy, Edward was a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Haddon Heights and a student at Audubon High School. A member of the AHS Class of 1949, he was a color guardsman in the school band, a member of the senior choir and a member of both the Junior play (Our Town, in the role of Howie Newsome) and the senior play (My Sister Eileen, in the role of a drunk). In addition to his participation in school activities, Edward served in the Camden Wing of the Civil Air Patrol for two years.
Edward enlisted in the service in May of 1949. After training at the Great Lakes Naval Station, he served at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, at Camp Le Jeune in North Carolina and at Camp Pendleton in California.
Edward met his wife Dorothy (nee Groff) on a blind date in January, 1951. A courtship began that led to their marriage in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Camden, New Jersey on June 9, 1951.
In the fall of 1951, Edward was transferred to Camp Pendleton and participated in the A-Bomb Test on the Yucca Flat testing grounds in the Nevada desert on May 1, 1952.
The couple had a son, Edward Joseph, born on May 15, 1952, while Edward was at Camp Pendleton. Edward saw his wife and then two week old son while on a short leave and, upon his return to Camp Pendleton, was notified that he had been ordered to Korea. In mid-July, 1952, Edward left the West Coast for Korea. Following his arrival, he wrote to his wife, explaining that he had been assigned as a medic to the 1st Marine Division at Bunker Hill.
On September 5, 1952, just three weeks after his arrival in Korea, Edward was killed in action while treating two Marines. Enemy grenades were tossed into the foxhole where Benfold was tending to the wounds of the two men. He picked up the grenades, leaped from the foxhole and charged the oncoming soldiers, sacrificing his life to save those of the two wounded Marines. He was 21 years old at the time of his death.
Medal of Honor
Edward C. Benfold was honored posthumously with three medals that were presented to Dorothy: The Purple Heart, The Medal of Honor and the Order of Military Merit, WHARANG with a Gold Star. The last of these honors was awarded by the Republic of Korea.
On January 14th, Dorothy received a letter and a Purple Heart Certificate from the Department of the Navy, signed by Lt. A. C. Thompson.
A citation was prepared by Son Won III, the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, stating that Edward was to receive the Order of Military Merit, WHARANG with Gold Star for "exceptionally Outstanding and Meritorious Service".
A citation was prepared and signed by President Dwight David Eisenhower, stating that Edward was to be the recipient of the Nation's highest honor, the Medal of Honor.
Edward's son, Edward Joseph , has all three medals displayed in a special frame in his home.
On July 16th, the presentation took place. The event received attention around the state and was covered by the Courier-Post, the East Camden News, The Philadelphia Inquirer and other papers, including the Newark Evening News.
The Memorial Site
Mr. William Westphal, a 1960 graduate of Audubon High School; and the current Principal, speaks to the students in the Honors International Relations Class each year, about the Medal of Honor recipients who had lived and studied in Audubon. He also mentions that the members of Murray-Troutt Post # 262 of the American Legion help keep the memory of the three Medal of Honor recipients alive in annual services each Memorial Day, and in special services at the Post Home.
Four students from the graduating class of 1994: Scott Johnson, Melanie Aubrey, Derek Everman and Anthony Simeone, were so impressed with what he had to say that they came to him with a request to build a Memorial to these three brave men. Further, they already had plans drawn up for the memorial, which they presented to Mr. Westphal. Not only were there complete plans for the memorial itself, they had planned fundraisers to pay for the project. The plans for the project are as follows:
Memorial Description:
All Impala Black Granite - Total Pieces 6
Dimensions;
Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Width: 10 inches
Weight (Per Section): 2,700 pounds
Total Weight: 8,100 pounds
Polished: Front, Back & Sides
Rock Pitch: Sides
Base:
Dimensions:
Height: 10 inches
Width: 18 inches
Length (Per Section): 48 inches
Polished: Top
Rock Pitch: Front, Back & Sides
Designs:
Carving:
Skin Frost Carving
Triple Border Lies
Stars (Polished)
Olive Spray
Etching:
Three Soldier Profiles
Three Medals of Honor
Lettering:
600 Characters
The four Seniors had done research to locate the type of granite they wished to use, finding it to be available only in Africa.
They proceeded with fund raising, with enthusiastic help from the community; and in nine months, they had raised $17,000.00, and the work began. The Memorial was placed on the lawn at the High School. The four Seniors then established a foundation to perpetuate the site. The Medal of Honor Memorial was dedicated July 4, 1994. Attending the dedication was one of the two Marines who's lives had been saved by Edward Benfold.
Each year since 1994, four Seniors are chosen for the Project Memorial Foundation. Their job being to maintain and beautify the site, and to continue raising funds for this purpose.
Recently, the Korean Club at AHS put in a decorative walkway to the site. Later, two seventh graders got into the act. After hearing how the Memorial had come to be, they wrote a letter to the Principal asking permission to install benches for the comfort of any who might like to sit and meditate while viewing the Memorial
Benfold Medical Center
Building S-771 has been named after HM3 Edward C. Benfold. Built in 1976, the 57,310 square foot structure houses the Branch Medical / Dental Clinic.
Benfold was killed in action and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His citation reads: "For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving in operations against enemy agressor forces. When his company was subject 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 ridge line where he observed two Marines in a large crater. As he approached the 2 men to determine their condition, an enemy soldier threw 2 grenades into the crater while 2 other enemy charged the position. Picking up a grenade in each hand, Benfold leaped out of the crater and hurled himself against the onrushing hostile soldiers, pushing the grenades against their chests and killing both 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."
Other medals / awards to his credit are the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and Korean Order of Military Merit, WHARANG with Gold Star.
Benfold's survivors include his wife who has since remarried, Dorothy A. Waida, and a son, Edward J. Benfold. They reside in New Jersey, along with granddaughters Nicole Andrea (age 14) and Alexandra Kori (age 11).
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Hospital Corpsman Third Class, U.S. Navy, attached to a company in the 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Korea, 5 September 1952. Entered service at: Philadelphia, Pa. Born: 15 January 1931, Staten Island, N.Y. 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 ridge line where he observed 2 marines in a large crater. As he approached the 2 men to determine their condition, an enemy soldier threw 2 grenades into the crater while 2 other enemy charged the position. Picking up a grenade in each hand, HC3c Benfold leaped out of the crater and hurled himself against the on-rushing 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 2 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.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
|
|
|
|
|
|
Articles & Briefings
