Rename building for GI, two urge

Arkansan POW killed in Vietnam

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. John Boozman and U.S. Rep. French Hill want Congress to rename the Perryville post office to honor the first U.S. prisoner of war executed in Vietnam.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Harold "George" Bennett was 24 years old when he was killed after his third escape attempt.

Boozman and Hill filed matching 12-line bills that would rename the postal facility at 201 B St. in Perryville as the Harold George Bennett post office.

Bennett, a Perryville native, enlisted in 1957 and received basic training at Fort Chaffee. He eventually became a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division.

He re-enlisted in 1960 and, three years later, received Special Forces training. As an Army Ranger, he volunteered to go to Vietnam and became an infantry adviser to the 33rd Vietnamese Ranger Battalion.

On Dec. 29, 1964, Bennett and his unit were airlifted to the South Vietnamese village of Binh Gia, which was under assault by the Viet Cong. Most of the villagers were believed to be North Vietnamese Catholics trying to escape communist forces.

Enemy forces overran the South Vietnamese unit and captured Bennett and his radio operator, Pfc. Charles Crafts.

Worried about the safety of his comrades, Bennett twice called off American helicopter pilots who were trying to navigate through the combat zone to rescue Bennett and Crafts.

The Viet Cong executed Bennett in June 1965, 179 days after his capture, in part for injuring a guard while attempting an escape, according to an Associated Press account at the time. The U.S. State Department called Bennett's death a "wanton act of murder" and said it was retribution for the execution of Viet Cong guerrillas convicted of terrorist activities in South Vietnam, according to the article.

The Army posthumously promoted Bennett to staff sergeant in August 1965. His remains were never returned to the United States.

After years of petitioning by his comrades, Bennett was awarded in 2006 the Combat Infantryman's Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal and the Purple Heart. He later was awarded a Silver Star.

Boozman, a Republican from Rogers, said in a statement that Bennett is a true American hero.

"This post office designation will honor Sgt. Bennett's service and sacrifice and reflect the appreciation we share for his courage and contributions to our country," Boozman said.

Hill, a Republican from Little Rock, said in a statement that Bennett deserves a lasting tribute.

"Naming this post office after Sgt. Bennett is a small token of our immeasurable appreciation for his and his family's commitment to this Nation," Hill said.

Former U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, a Republican from Little Rock, sponsored legislation to name the post office for Bennett in 2014. The bill passed the House but was never brought up for a vote in the Senate.

Typically, the House and Senate allow facilities to be renamed as long as all members of the delegation agree and the honoree is no longer living. There is an exception for when the honoree is a wounded veteran, a U.S. president or vice president. A current or former member of Congress, local or state elected official, or judge can also be honored once he reaches age 70, according to a 2012 report from the Congressional Research Service.

Metro on 06/26/2015

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