Benedict (Bennie) Darilek

There will be a FULL MILITARY HONORS Ceremony for Benedict (Bennie) Darilek on Saturday, November 18 2023 at 1:00pm at North Belton Cemetery in Belton, Texas.

He was raised in Gonzales Texas, and graduated from high school there in 1967.  He received an invitation to a Cardinals baseball tryout camp, but two weeks before the camp he received his draft notice and was inducted into the Army on May 31, 1968.

After basic and special training he was assigned to Lai Khe (nicknamed "Rocket City" because of all the incoming attacks) Vietnam, Company A 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division, and served two tours there as Aircraft Armament Repairman and a door gunner.

He will be recognized for his 20 years of service to his country and for the many medals and awards he received which included:

227th BN Valorous Unit Award for the Cambodian Campaign (Fish Hook) 01 May to 29 June 70

Bronze Star for Nov 69 to Nov 70, for meritorious service in military operations against hostile forces

Meritorious Service Medal for 1978 to 1984 Section Leader for numerous Live Fire Aerial Gunnery exercises without a single unsafe incident

Air Medal for 23 Nov 69 to 5 Dec 69 for more than twenty-five flights in 12 days, in spite of hazards inherent in repeated flights over hostile territory

Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement in operations against a hostile force (multiple dates in Vietnam, and later)

Army Achievement Medal (multiple dates after Vietnam) for initiative and expertise

Army Good Conduct Medal for exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity

National Defense Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal, RVN Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Campaign, and RVN Civil Action Honor.

After his final retirement, the first thing he did was to read the Bible from cover-to-cover.  He later donated to his local Catholic Church for the benefit of its children, and helped in funding a program to furnish Bibles and a study system for them to use with their parents.

Please join us in celebrating his life and service to his country.