An illustration of Roy Benavidez from graphic novel “Medal of Honor: Roy Benavidez.” Photo: Rick Magyar for AUSA. 

If you want  to know the definition of an American hero is, look no further than staff Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez. His selfless acts on the battlefield recently inspired the making of graphic novel, “Medal of Honor: Roy Benavidez” honoring his heroics during the Vietnam War. 

The Mexican-American is such a profound source of pride, that some folks are pressuring the government to change the name of its largest active-duty military base, Fort Hood, in Roy’s honor.

US ARMY FT HOOD TXVisual Information Center Bldg232

Fort Hood is the Army post located in Killeen, Texas, but there’s objections that it glorifies a man who fought on the wrong side of history. Named after Confederate General John Bell Hood, who fought in support of slavery during the Civil War. While Hood escaped one battle without an injury, every officer in his brigade was killed or wounded.

Roy Benavidez/Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument. 

In contrast to Hood’s cowardice, Roy voluntarily boarded a rescue helicopter and saved eight men who were under attack by enemy gunfire. 

Roy later called his mission “six hours from hell”. 

Roy survived 30 gunshot wounds, a slash on his arm from a bayonet, blunt trauma and wounds from pieces of grenades that exploded around him. 

Roy Benavidez’s gravesite./mishalov.com

They thought Roy had died on the front lines. But as a doctor began zipping him up in a body bag, Roy used what little energy he had to spit on the doctor’s face to let him know he was alive. 

Roy received the Medal of Honor for his actions on that day. Changing the name of the Army post would better reflect the military base’s legacy of service and honor, and more people would learn about Roy Benavidez, the true American hero: 📣🇺🇸 🙌🏾

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