HYDE-SMITH PRESENTS VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL TO RETIRED AIR FORCE VETERAN

091820-Vietnam Vet Medal Benton
PHOTO:  (left to right) LTC Deidre D. Smith, Mississippi National Guard; Air Force SMSgt Gary L. Benton (Ret) and his wife Melanie; and Senator Hyde-Smith.

JACKSON, Miss. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today presented Pearl resident Gary L. Benton, Senior Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force (Retired) with a Vietnam Service Medal.  Benton earned the honor in recognition of his service during military operations associated with the fall of Vietnam in April 1975.  Benton, who also earned other decorations for his service during the Vietnam War, retired from the Air Force after 26 years of service.  President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 created the Vietnam Service Medal to recognize service in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia during the Vietnam War.

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