Edward Clyde Benfold was born on January 15th, 1931 in Staten Island. When he was a child, he moved to New Jersey. His father was a first engineer in the marines during World War II, and was serving on the Honduran freight Crater Castilla when it was sunk by a German U-boat. Edward enlisted in the Navy right after graduating high school, enlisting in Philadelphia. He trained as a medical field technician, and as a neuropsychiatric technician. He also did combat field training at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, and graduated in September. He then was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, at Camp Pendleton until July 1952, where he was assigned 1st Marine Division, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. He was killed in action on September 5th, 1952, while saving the lives of two wounded Marines he was helping in a crater made from two enemy hand grenades. Benfold was committed till the end to protect and help his company. Before his death, his company was subjected to heavy artillery and mortar barrages, and he moved from position to position giving words of encouragement and helping the wounded. He left his sheltered position to help two soldiers stuck in a crater, where the enemy approached from both sides. He then picked up a grenade in each hand, leaped out of the crater, and launched himself into oncoming hostile soldiers, pushing the grenades into their chests, killing both the attackers.  Edward Clyde Benfold was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after sacrificing his life in the Battle of Bunker Hill. His heroicism and selflessness should be remembered forever, and used as an example of patriotic bravery. 

EDWARD CLYDE BENFOLD

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