20th Tactical Air Support Squadron

On 29 June, 1972, Captain Steven L. Bennett and a Marine observer were flying near Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam. Responding to a call from a South Vietnamese unit pinned down by the enemy, he requested tactical air support, but none was available. Captain Bennett elected to strafe the enemy positions, and made four successful attacks in his lightly armed
OV-10 Bronco. On his fifth strafing pass the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile that severely damaged the left engine and landing gear. Captain Bennett had determined that an emergency landing was impossible when he was advised that his observer's parachute was shredded by the exploding missile. His own parachute was undamaged, but Captain Bennett knew that if he ejected, the observer would have no chance of survival. He made the decision to crash land his burning aircraft in the sea, fully aware that no pilot ever ditched an OV-10 and lived through it. Upon contact with the water, the aircraft cartwheeled, crushing the front cockpit making escape for Captain Bennett impossible. The observer managed to free himself and was rescued. Captain Steven L. Bennett was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on 8 August 1974.

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