The Roy Benavidez Story Audiobook By Ethan Steele cover art

The Roy Benavidez Story

From Schoolyard Scrapper to Metal of Honor Recipient

 Virtual Voice Sample
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The Roy Benavidez Story

By: Ethan Steele
Narrated by: Virtual Voice
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From the sun-scorched fields of rural Texas to the blood-soaked jungles of Vietnam, “From Schoolyard Scrapper to Medal of Honor Recipient: The Roy Benavidez Story” chronicles the extraordinary life of Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez—a man who rose from unimaginable hardship to become one of America’s most legendary heroes.
Born in 1935 to a Mexican-American father and Yaqui Indian mother, Roy faced tragedy early: orphaned by age seven, he endured poverty, racial discrimination, and backbreaking migrant labor, dropping out of school at 15 to support his family. Schoolyard brawls forged his fighter’s spirit, but it was the U.S. Army that channeled it into purpose. Enlisting in 1952, Roy advanced through the ranks, earning his Green Beret and serving with distinction in Korea, Germany, and Vietnam.

In 1965, a devastating landmine injury left him paralyzed, with doctors declaring he’d never walk again—yet Roy defied them, secretly rehabilitating himself to return to combat. His crowning moment came on May 2, 1968, during “Six Hours in Hell”: voluntarily leaping into a besieged battlefield near Loc Ninh, armed only with a knife and medical bag, he sustained 37 wounds while saving eight comrades from an overwhelming North Vietnamese force. Initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, his valor was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan, who called his story “unbelievable.”

Post-war, Roy dedicated his life to advocacy, testifying before Congress to protect veterans’ benefits, authoring three autobiographies, and inspiring youth through motivational speeches emphasizing education and resilience. Retiring in 1976, he passed away in 1998, leaving a legacy honored by schools, ships, and memorials bearing his name.

This gripping biography, complete with a detailed timeline, full Medal of Honor citation, glossaries, and annotated bibliography, captures Roy’s indomitable will—from orphaned scrapper to national icon—reminding us that true heroism springs from the humblest beginnings and endures through selfless sacrifice. A must-read for history buffs, military enthusiasts, and anyone seeking inspiration in the face of adversity.
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