Due to the extensive nature of his wounds and the fact that doctors were convinced that he was not going to live, Roy Benavidez was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, per Naval History and Heritage Command. However, he did recover, and General William C. Westmoreland nominated him for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor in 1973. Unfortunately, the time limit to submit for this honor had passed by this time, so it literally took an act of Congress to allow this award to be granted.
They hit another road block. At the time, it was believed no one was still alive to verify his heroic actions, so the Army initially denied Benavidez his Medal of Honor, according to SOFREP. Remarkably, radioman Brian O'Connor (who made the initial distress call that day) was still alive and living in Fiji. He came forward and verified the story of how Benavidez saved them all. Based on his testimony, President Ronald Reagan finally awarded Roy Benavidez the Medal of Honor in 1981.
Following his retirement from the military, Benavidez spent his time speaking to children across the country about "education, learning a trade, and love of country," which he reportedly loved doing. Sadly, he passed away from complications associated with diabetes on November 29, 1998. Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez was the definition of a super soldier, and the legacy he left behind is still being honored today.
