Jonas Benford
Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

When Private First Class Jonas Benford began his tour in Vietnam on 8 February 1968, he was assigned to Combined Action Platoon 2-4-3, Combined Action Company 2-4, 2nd Combined Action Group, Combined Action, III Marine Amphibious Force.

The Combined Action Program placed a squad of Marines in a South Vietnamese village where they lived, fought, and frequently died alongside their hosts. In the early morning hours of 20 August the compound of Combined Action Platoon 2-4-3, three kilometers northeast of Hoi An in the Dien Ban District of Quang Nam Province, was attacked by a large enemy force. The compound defenses were breached by the enemy with satchel charges and the defenders were overrun suffering numerous casualties.

During the attack on the CAP compound, PFC Benford was killed in action by grenade and gunshot wounds. His body was recovered.

Seven other Marines and one Sailor from CAP 2-4-3 were also killed in action during the battle:

HM2 Ronald W. Kempff, New Orleans, LA
Sgt Brinson I. Paul, Memphis, TN
Cpl Joseph E. Smith, Port Chester, NY
Cpl Bill A. Webb, Ripley, OK
LCpl Martin Espinoza. San Antonio, TX
Pfc Victor Boochko, Chicago, IL
Pfc Raymond E. Musick, Compton, CA
Pfc Pedro A. Vera, New York, NY
Pfc J. C. Whiting, Memphis, TN

Medals and Awards

Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Honors

The name Jonas Benford is located on Panel W47 Line 5 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.