TFH 9/6: Corporal Benito Martinez, USA

Benito Martinez was born on April 21, 1932 (there is a discrepancy in his birth date) in Fort Hancock, Texas. He spent his entire childhood there, and enlisted in the United States Army in 1950 after graduating from high school.

He was sent to war in Korea with the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment (the "Wolfhounds") which was part of the 25th Infantry Division. Sixty years ago today on the night of September 6, 1952, Corporal Martinez was a machine gunner with the 2nd Platoon of Company A. He was manning a bunker with three other soldiers when they observed Communist infiltrators trying to cut off their isolated position.

Martinez directed the men with him to withdraw back to safer positions while he remained alone to hold back the attack. For six hours he used every bit of firepower he had to hold back the enemy before he was cut down. Corporal Martinez's heroic stand was recognized in December 1953 with the Medal of Honor.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Korean War:


*MARTINEZ, BENITO

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company A, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Satae-ri Korea, 6 September 1952. Entered service at: Fort Hancock, Tex. Born: 21 March 1931, Fort Hancock, Tex. G.O. No.: 96, 29 December 1953. 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.

Corporal Martinez was originally buried in a cemetery in Fort Hancock. Sometime during the 1980s, his remains were reinterred with the full honors befitting a Medal of Honor recipient at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.

Today, 1st Battalion/27th Infantry is a component of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division. Their home post is the Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii.