Hurlburt Field in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Captain Steven L. Bennett

20th Tactical Air Support Squadron

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

1. Captain Steven L. Bennett Marker

Inscription. On 29 June, 1972, Captain Steven L. Bennett and a Marine observer were flying near Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam. Responding to a call from a South Vietnamese unit pinned down by the enemy, he requested tactical air support, but none was available. Captain Bennett elected to strafe the enemy positions, and made four successful attacks in his lightly armed OV-10 Bronco. On his fifth strafing pass the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile that severely damaged the left engine and landing gear. Captain Bennett had determined that an emergency landing was impossible when he was advised that his observer's parachute was shredded by the exploding missile. His own parachute was undamaged, but Captain Bennett knew that if he ejected, the observer would have no chance of survival. He made the decision to crash land his burning aircraft in the sea, fully aware that no pilot ever ditched an OV-10 and lived through it. Upon contact with the water, the aircraft cartwheeled, crushing the front cockpit making escape for Captain Bennett impossible. The observer managed to free himself and was rescued. Captain Steven L. Bennett was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on 8 August 1974.

Erected by the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park Council.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Heroes • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients

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series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 29, 1972.

Location. 30° 24.923′ N, 86° 42.028′ W. Memorial is in Hurlburt Field, Florida, in Okaloosa County. It can be reached from Independence Road. Located at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park and access to the base is restricted. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 315 Independence Road, Hurlburt Field FL 32544, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: OV-10 Bronco (here, next to this marker); Captain Hilliard A. Wilbanks (a few steps from this marker); O-1E Bird Dog (a few steps from this marker); The Forward Air Controller (a few steps from this marker); Operation Assured Response (within shouting distance of this marker); Operation Uphold Democracy (within shouting distance of this marker); Operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina (within shouting distance of this marker); Operation Restore Hope

Captain Steven L. Bennett Marker and a OV-10 Bronco. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

2. Captain Steven L. Bennett Marker and a OV-10 Bronco.

(within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hurlburt Field.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia article on Steven L. Bennett. (Submitted on November 19, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Captain Steven L. Bennett marker in Palestine, Texas. (Submitted on April 1, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.)

Captain Steven L. Bennett image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

3. Captain Steven L. Bennett

Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 645 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.