Harold George Bennett Post Office

Floor Speech

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Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 4355, to designate the U.S. Post Office located at 201 B Street in Perryville, Arkansas, as the ``Harold George Bennett Post Office.''

Staff Sergeant Harold George Bennett is one of Arkansas' finest sons, and he dedicated his life to serving our country. Sergeant Bennett was born on October 16, 1940, in Thornburg, Arkansas, a small town near the outskirts of the Ouachita National Forest. A graduate of Perryville High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1957.

Sergeant Bennett served as an airborne infantryman with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, where he earned his Master Parachute Wings and Expert Infantry Badge. He completed Special Forces training in 1963, and in 1964, volunteered to serve in South Vietnam as a Special Forces adviser with the Military Assistance Command.

On December 29, 1964, his unit was airlifted to a small village after it had been overrun by a division of Viet Cong. Immediately upon landing, Sergeant Bennett's unit was confronted by a well dug-in regiment of enemy forces, and despite fighting furiously and courageously throughout the afternoon, his unit was overrun. Concerned for the safety of his fellow servicemembers, he twice directed American helicopter pilots attempting to rescue him to stand down, and was captured by the Viet Cong.

Sergeant Bennett spent 179 days as a POW and attempted to escape three times. During his last attempt, he injured an enemy soldier, and his captors executed him on June 25, 1965. As a GPO's PDF prisoner of war, the only thing more remarkable than the courageous resistance he displayed throughout his captivity was his steadfast devotion to duty, honor, and country. His faith in God and the trust of his fellow prisoners was unshakeable. Only 24 years old, Sergeant Bennett was the first American POW killed in Vietnam, and, like many other U.S. servicemen who lost their lives there, his remains have never been returned home.

Nearly four decades later, in 2004, Sergeant Bennett was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning. In 2006, his family was presented with his Combat Infantryman's Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and Purple Heart. And in 2010, Sergeant Bennett's family was presented with his Silver Star.

Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Bennett was a selfless young man who answered his Nation's call to service and placed duty and honor above all else. Although he may no longer be with us, the example and selflessness of this brave young Arkansan will forever live on in our hearts. While a grateful nation could never adequately express its indebtedness to men like Staff Sergeant Harold George Bennett, it should take every opportunity to honor them and their families for the sacrifice they have paid on our behalf.

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