Benito Martinez (soldier)

He defended an isolated post for six hours to save comrades.

Benito Martinez received a posthumous Medal of Honor for defending an isolated listening post during the Korean War. He came from Fort Hancock, Texas, and entered the United States Army before serving as a machine gunner in Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.

After basic training, Martinez deployed to Korea. By February 1952 he was serving on the front near the Mundung-ni Valley, northeast of the Hwacheon Reservoir. His duties included manning an exposed listening post ahead of the main defensive line, where a small group could warn the company of an approaching attack.

On 6 September 1952, near Satae-ri, a reinforced enemy company attacked his position. As enemy troops closed around him, the corporal chose to remain, inflicting casualties and repeatedly refusing rescue because of the danger to others. Forced from his emplacement, he continued fighting with an automatic rifle and pistol. His six-hour stand gave friendly troops time to reorganize and regain the ground.

Martinez died during the action. His mother later received his posthumous Medal of Honor at the Pentagon. He is buried in Fort Bliss National Cemetery, Texas. Schools in his home region commemorate his sacrifice; his brief military career ended with the defense that bought time for his comrades.

Official 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 six-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.”