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.
Captain Steven L. Bennett. 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron. 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.
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 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 29, 1972.
Location. 30° 24.923′ N, 86° 42.028′ W. Marker is in Hurlburt Field
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, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Memorial can be reached from Independence Road. Located at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park and access to the base is restricted. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Independence Road, Hurlburt Field FL 32544, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Captain Steven L. Bennett Marker and a OV-10 Bronco.
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 413 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.