25 August 2001 I arrived in Vietnam on March 23rd and my first ambush patrol was on the evening of March 26th. At 2300 hrs. we left Camp Holloway and walked out about four clicks to set up an ambush for Viet Cong. There were 12 of us on this patrol. Thank goodness it wasn't hot, about 70 degrees on a pitch black night. We were about 1/4 of a mile away from an ARVN base camp. All of a sudden all hell broke loose. The ARVN's had mistaken us for Viet Cong and opened up on us with M-60 machine guns and M-16's. As soon as we were being shot at the guy next to me pushed me down. He placed himself where I was just standing. In doing so, he took a gunshot wound to his right side (he took the round with my name on it). I heard him scream out "I'm hit, I'm hit". I heard the Platoon Sergeant yell out not to shoot back. He and others started yelling "We are GI's" over and over. I crawled over to the guy who got shot and immediately started to put a field dressing on his wound. I got my and his flashlight on trying to see and bullets are hitting all around me. I turned him over and looked for an exit wound and couldn't find one. He was awake the whole time and every time I moved him he screamed out in pain. In about 2 minutes the firing stopped and they called for transportation to come get us. Thankfully, he was the only one who got shot. I was brand new and don't know how to call dust-off. They sent out a duece and a half. Meanwhile I put together two ponchs and got four guys to help me place him on it and carry him to the road and load him unto the back of the truck. I sat with my back to the wall of the truck and placed him against me trying to cushion him from the bumps. He kept asking me if he was going to die and I told him no that he will be at the doctor soon. He told me about his wife and his family and I reassured him that he was going to be okay. I remember praying to myself "please God let him be okay". We got to the aid station and they placed him on an IV and treated him for shock. He went into surgery. I visited him twice at the hospital ... 28 days later he died from liver failure. His death has always had a profound impact on me. After I got out of the Army I found out Benny's address and wrote his parents but I never heard back from them. So this year I got a hold of his sisters and brother and talked with them about Benny. I have visited the Wall six times to say good-bye to 12 guys. But his name is always the first name I find and touch. 30 April 2002 Benny, it has been 34 years ago today that you died. I have thought of you and your family a lot today - I miss you, my brother ... Doc Pardue Visit my full memorial to Benny Dale Cash Doc Kerry Pardue 3226 N Sycamore Pl, Chandler, Az 85224 kerry@quixnet.net

 

16 Mar 2006 Benny Dale Cash... You and my dad Travis Phillips were cousins. My dad always spoke very highly of you, and I remember dad telling me your funeral was right before he had to leave for Vietnam, and his mother, Freddie Mae, hated to see him leave after that. My dad was wounded in Vietnam, but lived and I always think maybe Dale was looking out for him. I am so glad because my dad passed away on Veterans' Day, November 11th, 2003 and the night before he passed away unexpectedly, we talked a lot of Vietnam and some of the things that he had to do over there, and for one of the first times in my life, I saw my Dad cry, but before I left we prayed together, and he got his life right with God, and I know him and Dale are in heaven having a great time, and one day we will see them again.... From a second cousin, April Phillips Sweeney Newnan, Ga ajsweeney@bellsouth.net

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