Book Review: The Ballad of Roy Benavidez: The Life and Times of America’s Most Famous Hispanic War Hero

Authors

Wylie W. Johnson

Files

Description

Author: William Sturkey

Reviewed by Dr. Wylie W. Johnson, chaplain, colonel (US Army, retired), US Army War College Class of 2010

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Wylie W. Johnson presents a review of a recent publication on one of the most celebrated Hispanic war heroes in US history—Medal of Honor recipient Roy Benavidez. Johnson overviews author William Sturkey’s biography of Benavidez, which discusses Benavidez’s “perseverance against racial prejudice, poverty, substandard education, bureaucratic inertia, popular bias against patriotism, anti-military sentiment, and physical disabilities” and also his heroism in the Vietnam War and his lifetime of service afterward. Johnson recommends the book as “military leaders need to be reminded about our heroes and honor the examples they set.”

Publication Date

10-2-2024

Keywords

Medal of Honor, determination, Hispanic Heritage Month, veterans, selfless service, overcoming obstacles, Vietnam War

Disciplines

Defense and Security Studies | Military and Veterans Studies

Recommended Citation

Wylie W. Johnson, Book Review: The Ballad of Roy Benavidez: The Life and Times of America’s Most Famous Hispanic War Hero ( US Army War College Press, 2024),
https://press.armywarcollege.edu/parameters_bookshelf/63