“The Greatest Military Hero You’ve Never Heard Of” - Tim Kennedy
Chris and Tim Kennedy discuss the best stories from military heroism you probably never heard of. Who was Roy Benavidez according to Tim Kennedy? Why was Roy’s story so heroic according to Tim Kennedy?
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Hello you savages. Watch the full episode with Tim here: kzhead.info/sun/rL5qZd2ceKiIY4U/bejne.html. Get my free Reading List of 100 life-changing books here - chriswillx.com/books/
Can't wait for the full podcast!
There’s a great video tribute to Roy V here on KZhead His story is nothing short of amazing
Loving the variety of guests!
Thanks for sharing my father's story! The enthusiasm you have in the retelling of it, is great. Dad's legacy lives on because we remember.
Thanks for bring attention to these amazing heroes.
Roy Benavides, we learned about him in elementary and middle school here in Texas. The Texas National Guard named their armory southeast of Houston after him. BAMF
I learned about him while watching all of the Medal of Honor documentaries on the channel dedicated to telling their stories. His story was so interesting I did some digging and found the original medical diagram of his injuries. The diagram looks like a voodoo doll after a rough break up with a psycho.
I learned about him years ago from watching a KZhead video of him. If I remember correctly, the title of the video was called "The Real Life Rambo". It didn't disappoint. Unfortunately, we don't produce guys like him anymore. Or, at least not nearly as much. I sometimes feel that hard-core, tough guy, "Rambo" spirit may have sort of died with Pat Tillman. I could be wrong. RIP, Roy. 🇺🇸
I knew of him.
I love that. Big respect
I knew the name was familiar and that’s exactly where I remember it from! Was taught about him in middle school in Texas
I always get choked up thinking about Shugart and Gordon. "Selfless" doesnt do it justice. Those men are fuckin superheros. Forever grateful.🙏🏻
They dropped off the chopper knowing they were dead..... Not much else needs to be said.
When they asked citizens of Mogadishu..why did it take so long to get to Mike Durant? What was the reason why they couldn't just overwhelm the downed super 6-4? The Somalis who had survived said.. "We thought they were demons" Between Randy and Gary, in defence of the burning chopper after getting Mike out, they had killed 80+ MEN. They estimate high 90's KIA. They were armed with a m4 build, and retro Vietnam era 7.62 m14. Mike Durant is alive thanks to those brave delta snipers. When one had fallen (sorry been awhile since I've read the book accounting official events) the other came to Mike who layed paralyzed against a brick wall and gave him the formers rifle. His last words were, Our friend (name) is gone, I'll be right around the corner, GOOD LUCK. Mike Durant said, it seemed like it was just another day at the office for him. He never saw him again. Black hawk down book is 10× more intense then the movie.
@@welcelebrateourredemption They definitely have a seat in the halls of Valhalla.
@@welcelebrateourredemption I have to read the book now
I’m not that much of a man, nope. I wish I could’ve done that but I don’t think I could.
Met Master Sergeant Roy Benavides when I was a senior in high school. He came to our high school and gave a speech and told us his life story. You could hear a pin drop in that auditorium. This was during the era of Rambo movies and here was the real life Rambo standing before us. It was an honor to meet him and a day I will never forget.
You were very fortunate to meet a real-life hero!
❤
Mr. Roy no doubt one of the best ever! Glad you were able to meet him personally.
A real life Rambo 🫡
As a Combat Medic, I knew all about MSG Roy Benavidez. I was the 1SG of 21st Evac Hospital when MSG Benavidez came to visit Fort Hood, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to invite him to speak to my medics. He was such a humble and intelligent man, after speaking to my medics he spent 30 minutes talking to me in private. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my military career, getting one-on-one mentorship from him. I only regret that they did not rename Fort Hood after him.
Damn.
@@sladeb6036 I know right ? that's something to always remeber to the core , there's no way ever he'd ever forget that , I'm glad you got to have that moment , you obv deserved it !! Nephew of a 22 Royal regiment CSOR Pathfinder SEMPER FI
I tell people all the time of this guy. His Daughter told a story of her riding in a car with her Dad Roy, she told him his neck was bleeding, he felt it, and ripped out a piece of metal, big enough she said she heard the sound as he tossed it out the window on the street, she could tell it was metal. She found out later it was a piece of shrapnel from his time in Vietnam
My father had about six pieces of shrapnel purge from his body ( arms, leg, and back) in the last 15 years of his life. It made for interesting conversation around the house! My dad served in the USMC from 1954-1974 as a Combat Engineer, retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant. He was in Viet Nam all of 1965, and 1968, survived Khe Sahn, and was injured by sniper fire and RPG attacks in two separate incidents ( one each year). He loved the Roy Benevitez story, and the man! RIP Dad and Sgt. Benevitez! Thank you for your humbling comment.
Absolutely nothing to do with shrapnel or combat - furthest thing from it really - but one night I fell about 3 feet face first onto the road with a vodka bottle in my hand. I'm Australian so naturally I never let go of the bottle, even while mid-flight. 😅 Anyway, my hand was bad, but I was wasted so I wasn't bothered. Luckily my friends convinced me to go to the hospital, which was on the way to our destination, so we jumped on the tram. Looked like a murder scene when we got off. Anyway I got my hand sorted out, and the nurse or doctor said there was still glass in there, but it'd work its own way out over time. The next morning I told my friends I'd had a trippy dream about a doctor leaving glass in my hand. They obviously then told me it wasn't a dream. That was... Probably 16 years ago, and it's still in there!
Lol 😂😂😂😂😂 Thanks for that!
His daughter’s really cool. She has a KZhead channel where she comments on vids of her dad . Talked to her once over that way. She loved her dad and misses him deeply. 😢
I met Roy's nephew when I was in Iraq in 2004. He was a pretty cool guy also.
Roy deserves a movie
Directed by Mel Gibson.
@@jamoe4802I second that !!!
Mel Gibson gets a lot of things wrong in a movie lol
@@moonknight4053 Who cares as long as the action and dialogue is good?
@@moonknight4053you obviously never saw any of his military movies like hacksaw ridge or we were soldiers which he had people that were there telling him what wrong or right.
I met Roy in 92. He came to our school. Amazing story
This reads like you're casually reviewing your own post at the end initially. 😅
@@beastwaynes4868 lol…it must have been my other personality chiming in! 😆
@@ericwiese7479I also met Roy once via a school presentation. Definitely adapted and overcame ...
@@lt9690 big time!
Roy Benavidez should have a base named after him. Dude's a fucking legend.
100%
Ft hood is now Ft Benavides
There is a ship named after him as well
@@scottnorman5057is Fort Cavazos not Fort Benavidez
Roy Benavidez Elementary School San Antonio Tx.
Roy P. Benavidez was from my home town. He used to show up for every Veteran’s Day program that our school put on. His story is incredibly inspirational, but getting to hear him tell it was awesome!
Roy earned the Medal of Honor and 5 purple hearts… dude is literally a legend
Shugart and Gordon story is one that needs to be told more. Everyone knows Black Hawk Down but they have no idea how insane that particular part of the story is.
Agreed. Also, Audie Murphy( who inspired Rambo and the First Blood book)'s story needs to be told A LOT more.
Yes, I agree. And Pat Tillman, too. 🇺🇸
I agree that men of the character of Shugart and Gordon - and the sacrifice they made - should be brought to light constantly, but the situation is depicted pretty accurately in the film though.
@JohnnyPorchAGeese Why? Because he thought about the greater good? Or due to the friendly fire killing that was covered up?
Seriously? Everyone knows, they had ships named after them, it's one of the most conspicuous acts of gallantry for decades either side and was shown in every form of media.
Born in Cuero, TX, and grew up in El Campo, TX. He is a Texan legend and is definitely talked about in schools 🏫
Roy was a member at the VFW Post 8900 and my dad (a Marine) drank several times with him. I grew up knowing his story because my father said Roy told him personally “I’ll drink anytime with a Marine, they collected my body when I was left for dead”
It was a fellow SF soldier who urged the doctor to check Roy one more time. But it might have been Marines who found his unconscious body during his first tour when he stepped on a landmine.
@@jfk767 Pretty sure when he said a "Marine collected his body" he means took him off the battlefield and has no bearing on who told the doctors what later when they would have examined Roy to determine whether they could save him or not and if he was already dead but that those Marines provided him with that chance to be saved and not "Left for Dead" as the old adage goes! 🌈 The more you know...
Roy was found by marines when he stepped on the land mine during his first tour.
"Shughart & Gordon...pretty rad men." Amen brother. Their story brings me to tears as well.
Texan here. I’ve known about Roy Benavidez for a while. Unbelievable they haven’t made a movie about Roy. That’s not even the whole story. In a previous tour in Vietnam he stepped on a land mine and was paralyzed. Roy would crawl at night to practice walking and eventually regained the ability to walk. Amazing
"@0:12 yahh !! Roy Benavidez." - it's an instant reaction, it didn't event take a second to think. That says about MSgt Benavidez
He is buried in the Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio , TX. I was in 2/5th SFG when he passed away in 96' our folks were involved in his funeral. Great Man, a legend in the community!
Missed the part where Roy stepped on a landmine… recovered…then earned his green beret😂
He missed a lot and made a few errors in the retelling. But it's a brief recap of his tale and not a detailed retelling. His message is still valid.
@@jfk767 okeee…this guy doesn’t need a defender, the comment was to honor Roy.
Hearing Tim talk about these badasses in his Tim way has me covered in goosebumps the whole time
I have hundreds of heroes I could talk about for hours.
Giving me goosebumps about these heroes!
@@TimkennedyMMATim, have you thought about doing a simple Hero Hour Podcast? You could either tell the story, just you and the camera, or you make it a little more dynamic by having a guest on who is simply there to listen to you recount the tales of heroes.
he lost me at the end when he rambled about supporting all the foreign entanglements in Israel and Ukraine. I get it, he loves war and killing. But we should spend that money on america first
Roy Benavides, was a freaking beast of a man , he definently deserves a movie .
So glad Roy is getting some attention. His MOH citation was like something out of a movie my God!
He has alot of documentaries based on him going back to 2000 2001 so everyone finding out about him are 2 decades late to the game
ROY BENAVIDEZ!!! Check out anything you can about this man; the REAL RAMBO! Thanks, TIM!
I had the honor of meeting Roy Benevidez before he passed. The Army actually "tamed down" his story thinking no one would believe it.
I met MSG Benevidez at Ft. Sam Houston in 1989 when I was going though the Medical NCO course, he was a humble and profoundly inspiring hero to us young Medics. Also you missed the best part of his story, the part where he clawed his way back from a career ending back injury just to be able to join the SF with guts and determination when his doctors were telling him he would never walk again.
I learned about MSG Roy Benavides in basic training 2003. Straight up legend and left an imprint on me during my military career
It is really moving to see Tim Kennedy to get emotional like this. God bless Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon
Roy Benavides, absolutely legend. God bless that man.
You didn’t have to cry. I’ll do it for you. Thank you and all American servicemen for your sacrifice and my freedom.
I remember listening to him speak.Extraordinary man.
My cousin is Larry Sims McKibben who volunteered to go get Msgt Benavidez. (And was killed doing so). He was a bad ass pilot doing what he could and what he knew was right despite the odds.
I am so glad he picked MSgt Benevidez. This guy is my favourite, too. If you want to be completely freaked out read about what happened the first time he was blown up. Man among men.
If they made Roy Benavidez' story into a movie, nobody would believe it. The amount of adversity he went through is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
Roy Benavides, was at gun shows in Texas. He sold a book of his exploits. You could get photo with him. Well spoken. Had lots of admirers. Rip, master Sargent, Benavides.
I met Roy a year or two following his MOH ceremony when I was a young Ranger in 1/75. Hearing him talk about that act of bravery was pretty amazing.
I’d say 99% of Americans know who Tom cruise is. But how many know a medal of honor recipients name? This is the problem with our country.
I can name a dozen or more, and thats not enough Haven’t had TV or given Hollywood a dime for over 35 years, i am 49
@@pakmatherdiverb I didn’t say all Americans and I bring it up because my friends died and they didn’t die doing anything that would get any attention from our country. Sgt Luke Zimmerman 3rd battalion 2nd marines was kia oct 27 2006. He was my friend and he never had the family he wanted. His name and every other servicemen’s name who died should be shown on every news network every sporting event or any event for that matter every day. But instead the majority don’t give a fuck and on Memorial Day they go get drunk on a lake without the thought of what the day stands for crossing their minds.
100%. Unfortunately, it’s simply exposure my friend. A Hollywood star is exponentially more visible to the mass public than a Medal of Honor recipient. Also - I think a lot of medal recipients don’t like being highlighted. A lot of times, that medal is linked to a very painful memory.
Who’s fault is that?
@@lonelylosersclub8453 really
Roy benivides’ story was WAY abbreviated!
Please explain “ Key board historian “
Wtf is a keyboard historian
@@scottnorman5057google it, Scott.
"If you have a life that is lacking purpose. Sometimes you can find purpose in somebody else's purpose" great words sir.
Roy pinned Sergeant on me at Bliss in 1996. Hell of a guy. He was guest of honor at our MP Ball.
When I was young my parents got me 2 special edition boxed GI Joes. One was Audie Murphy and the 2nd was Roy P Benavidez. They had a cover that opened up that told the story of each of them, with era accurate pieces to go with them. A name I'll never forget!
I love how excited Tim gets when he tells a story.
HE IS A LEGEND! He has a book that his family still sells, it is worth the money! He was an exceptional human being. May God bless the peacekeepers and the patriots!
“Since it is so likely that (children) will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.” ― C.S. Lewis
Dude i love tim when he starts holding back tears he's such a G but not only that a legitmatly good guy!!!
Haven’t seen the full vid, so excuse me if he’s mentioned… Richard Flaherty. He was 4’7” due to lack of knowledge surrounding his mom and his competing blood types when he was born. He had the biggest heart and was a great fighter in Vietnam and afterwards, turning his naysayers into supporters by never backing down. Truly small but mighty. Great audio book about him titled “Giant Killer”
He was a green beret and captain, but died a homeless vet sleeping under a palm tree in Florida in 2015.
@@Dark_Souls_3he got ran over and died. They made a documentary of his life and eye witness and cctv camera footage of his death. He was a real life spook that worked for top notch tier one companies that people shit their pants over
RIP Giant Killer
@@Dark_Souls_3 I hope you aren't disparaging him. Nobody knows what goes on in another man's mind. He has all my respect
@@codyduncan5414 Not at all, just bring it up because we don’t care for our vets
Everyone that's been in the military know who he was. He's a legend a savage Mad respect
Roy Benavides glad to see him still getting recognized for the bad ass he was! He was a big for my little town El Campo Tx.
He talked me joining into the USMC, I met Roy when he came to my high school back in the 1980’s. You left out his first injury from a mine back in 1964.
The full story of Roy is unbelievable. Dude was a born warrior through and through
Luckily, I do know this story from a previous Kennedy story!! It is so crazy! Hats off to you Mr. Benevidese
Another great story is Robert L. Howard. He was nominated three (3) times to the Medal of Honor. It was a pleasure to have met him and have him as a guess speaker at our unit. A Salute🫡 to all the great Men and heroes mentioned here.
There's so much more to Roy P. Benavidez. I encourage you to watch his speeches before he passed. I recently learned he was wounded in a previous deployment and left for paralyzed before he recouped himself, went SF, and returned to Vietnam. It's the craziest warrior story.
I second,that emotion, that fort should have bee named after, Msg. Roy Benavides. A true blue, Texas born and bred hero.
When I was stationed in Germany in the Iron Brigade we just got back from Iraq. I was getting ready to PCS. Our Rifle Company was getting ready to do a change of command, and their was a lot of layouts and inventory. It was tedious and a pain in the ass but a necessary evil. One of the guys in our group a young Hispanic American Soldier looked down and despondent. I talked to him to try to raise his spirit. He told me he wanted to be a fire team leader like me. I told him no! I handed him the autobiography of Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez and told him this should be The Standard for every combat arms Soldier.
Thank for sharing these stories about Roy. A true American hero. Why there aren’t two or three movies made about him I don’t know. Ok, given how Hollywood is I know. But hopefully some day he will get the movie he deserves.
You look at their military photos….you can just see the badass in their eyes…like those are definitely the two dudes who earned their honor
I’m from Texas, We know about Roy Benavidez. He was born in DeWitt county Texas. The county is named for my 5th great grandparents Green and Sarah DeWitt, the founders of the colony. Roy is a Texas legend.
THIS is the part of Tim Kennedy I love.
My principal from high school is a direct relative of Gary Gordon. Before I ever found this out in high school, Black Hawk Down was one of my favorite movies of all time and that very scene that depicts the valor displayed by Gordon and Shughart was unforgettable.
I’ve known about this man for years and when I’ve walked into 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) HQ, there is a picture Roy and ALL the Medal of Honor Recipients. It’s more profound and sets the tone than any experience you can imagine!
"Getting out of bed at night (against doctors' orders), Benavidez would crawl using his elbows and chin to a wall near his bedside and (with the encouragement of his fellow patients, many of whom were permanently paralyzed and/or missing limbs) he would prop himself against the wall and attempt to lift himself unaided, starting by wiggling his toes, then his feet, and then eventually (after several months of excruciating practice that, by his own admission, often left him in tears) pushing himself up the wall with his ankles and legs. After over a year of hospitalization, Benavidez walked out of the hospital in July 1966, with his wife at his side, determined to return to combat in Vietnam." That was before "The six hours of Hell" Tim is talking about here, Roy stepped on a landmine during his first tour in Vietnam. That guy was unreal. An unstoppable warrior.
Love the way TK's eyes light up when he says "he's a Texan"
I spent an hour with Roy Benavides flying to El Paso in 1982. He told me his story and gave me a signed copy of his book and let me hold his MOH. If my house was on fire I’d run in to save that book. What a man.
There are a few video interviews with Roy Benavides. My favorite is his speech to the troops.
I read this story after basic training before arriving at AIT. Very inspiring what he did for his brothers.
Love to see these legends get some light. Always tell their stories to my family. Remember them and what they gave for us with every sunrise we get.
Just gave me chills up my spine.
My dad is buried not too far from Roy Benavidez. When my dad passed away my older sister walked around the cemetery and found Roy. Me and my dad didn't get close. He was an alcoholic and was very demeaning. Yet at his last months I did what a son should do when their father is dying. I did what was asked of me and wished him well. Till we meet again.
Gary and Randy understood that they might’ve had a chance because they knew how highly skilled they were in their trade as well… probably the one movie I’ve watches the most in my lifetime
❤ as a Murican that is of Mexican decent with generations of family in the military "Tango Mike Mike" is a great inspiration this guy gave a very short stroy of one battle and left out that he got in the helicopter with only a knife after hearing his Sog buddy was being over run before he even became Spec Ops he had step on a land mine breaking his back and had to fight to even stay in the army working as a child in the fields this man needs a movie so other young Latinos can be inspired to never give up keep going forward!
💯💯💯 I was born in the Colville reservation in Omak WA. My father wanted me to know my Mexican roots , I learned about Roy when I was like 5-6. I thought he was the biggest hero ever
@@RipPimpCScrewstonTX he still is to me 😎👍perfect example of never giving up honor and duty who goes in to battle with only a knife!
I’m not crying dude
I was.
@@TimkennedyMMA I believe why we as men cry hearing stories of valor and bravery is we for a moment experience what it's like to be Christ-like
@@TimkennedyMMAThe bravest men of all time. Also off topic, Yoel should have been DQd.
The story of Roy Benavides is amazing. It's so bad ass you can't comprehend everything that happened to him. That guy is a friggen stud.
Back in 1996 I had the pleasure of hearing MSG Benavides speak to our BNCOC class at Fort Sam. He's everything you'd imagine. Humble, great presence. He's a genuine American hero.
MSG Roy Benevidez spoke at our annual Unit Christmas dinner in 1995. He is one badass soldier and his legacy as a Medal of Honor winner lives on today. De Oppresso Liber🇺🇸
The first time I saw there story portrayed in Black Hawk Down, this reality stuck with me for days, they went down there knowing they would die. “Greater love has no man…”
Who hasn't heard of Roy, or his story?! Gen-u-ine Hero!! Book(s) on/by him are pretty great!! Both Shughart & Gordon are Ultimate Warriors!! RIP, warriors!
Learned about these legends years ago........much respect
I find purpose daily from these interviews from these Amazing Individuals! Thank you Mr. Kennedy and all your Brothers And Sisters in arms for my family’s well being! Possibly I can shake your hand in person to say just that 🤘
I got chills listening to him speak
Chuck Mawhinney. Vietnam. Sniper. Held back a force of hundreds at night, with an M14 and starlight scope. Saved countless.
Very Impactful, Thank you for this.
He is a legend here in Texas!
An absolute legend - EVERYONE should know what he did
Gordon was a high school classmate of mine…small guy. Big bravery. He grew up in Lincoln, Maine
Mr ballen did a great episode of Roy benevidez’s story. Everyone should see it
Well said, well said!
I met Roy and his wife in El Paso at a restaurant. I was a young SF Captain at the time. They invited me to have dinner with them. They were so nice and interesting to talk with. I have said over and over his book should be made into a movie. Read his book "The Three Wars or Roy Benavides."
I was one of the fortunate people that got to meet him and listen to his story from him when I was senior in High School and he addressed our civics class
Growing up in Texas, and with a father who had worked alongside the Special Forces in Vietnam, I can tell you I definitely heard the name Roy Benavidez. My father made sure I knew about that man and what he'd done in his time serving our country (unfortunately he never visited my school when I was younger.) He was a true hero and patriot.
Roy Benavidez was an absolute beast! RIP
Amazing story! Glad it’s getting the recognition it deserves. Both stories, American heroes.
This is the best set yet. Loved Chris’s background lighting. Great Job guys 👏
My grandpa SFC Harry D McMorrow served with Benavides in MACVSOG. Had 2 Purple Hearts and awarded Silver Star. RIP grandpa!!!
Love ,Tim Kennedy. Amazing warrior.
These are great stories that more people should hear, THANKS TIM & CHRIS! It's hard to understand unless you have worn the uniform & done the job. I feel truly fortunate to have heard first hand some of my father in law's stories (USN WWII) as well as some of my brothers father in law (USMC WWII). Thanks to all now serving, those who have, and those who will in the future. FLY NAVY!!!
100% Roy Benevides' story is unmatched.
Love Tim Kennedy- Thank You ❤
I know about him!!! He was in our soldiers' bible.... he's a short beast of a man!!!! His story is legendary!!!! Thank you for remembering a legend!!!
I have heard of him. Absolute legend!
🎉two great and admirable example. Thank you for the message