History of Bennett Health Clinic

• Dept. of Family & Community Medicine
• Bennett Home
• Communicable Disease Services
• Div. West Sick Call
• History
• Immunizations
• Important Telephone Numbers
• Laboratory Services
• Minor Surgery
• Pharmacy Services
• Physicals for Div. West Personnel
• Radiology Services
• Referrals Services
• School and Sports Physicals
• Well Baby and Child Exams
• Women’s Health

Medal of Honor Recipient Corporal Thomas W. Bennett

U.S. Army, 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry

Chu Pa Region, Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam

April 7, 1947 – February 11, 1969

Bennett Tower and Memorial Bridge Photos (.pdf file format)

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Cpl. Bennett distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman with the 2nd Platoon, Company B, during a reconnaissance–in–force mission.

On February 9, the platoon was moving to assist the 1st Platoon of Company D which had run into a North Vietnamese ambush when it became heavily engaged by the intense small arms, automatic weapons, mortar and rocket fire from a well–fortified and numerically–superior enemy unit. In the initial barrage of fire, three of the point members of the platoon fell wounded. Cpl. Bennett, with complete disregard for his safety, ran through the heavy fire to his fallen comrades, administered life–saving first aid under fire and then made repeated trips carrying the wounded men to positions of relative safety from which they would be medically evacuated from the battle position.

Cpl. Bennett repeatedly braved the intense enemy fire, moving across open areas to give aid and comfort to his wounded comrades. He valiantly exposed himself to the heavy fire in order to retrieve the bodies of several fallen comrades.

Throughout the night and following day, Cpl. Bennett moved from position to position treating and comforting the personnel who had suffered shrapnel and gunshot wounds.

On February 11, Company B again moved in an assault on the well–fortified enemy positions and became heavily engaged with the numerically superior force. Five members of the company fell wounded in the initial assault. Cpl. Bennett ran to their aid without regard to the heavy fire. He treated one wounded comrade and began running toward another seriously wounded man. Although the wounded man was located forward of the company position covered by heavy enemy grazing fire and Cpl. Bennett was warned that it was impossible to reach the position, he leaped forward with complete disregard for his safety to save his comrade's life. In attempting to save his fellow soldier, he was mortally wounded.

Cpl. Bennett’s undaunted concern for his comrades at the cost of his own life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U. S. Army.

---

Dedication Ceremony September 25 1997

The Bennett Health Clinic serving the 4th Infantry Division is the first clinic at Fort Hood considered to be a true “family” clinic, providing health care for both soldiers and their families. The clinic is the first of three such clinics in Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center‘s Family/Soldier 2000 plan for an extensive family care system at Fort Hood.

The 31,000 square foot clinic replaces Troop Medical Clinics 1, 2, 3, and 9. At a cost of $5.7 million, the Bennett Health Clinic is furnished with the latest in modular furniture and state–of–the–art diagnostic equipment. To provide services and administrative documentation, the clinic is equipped with the Composite Health Care System capable of making and tracking appointments, generating requests for testing procedures, and filling and tracking prescriptions.

Through the combined efforts of the 4th Infantry Division medical assets and Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, the clinic provides sick call for troops and primary health care for both soldiers and family members. The joint staff of family practice physicians, flight surgeons, general medical officers, physician assistants, medics and administrative employees can care for more than 12,000 soldiers and 10,000 family members.

In addition to primary health care for soldiers and their families, the clinic has laboratory, x–ray and pharmacy services. Special clinics and services include optometry, physical therapy, psychiatry, immunizations and Community Health Nursing wellness and prevention classes.

The Bennett Health Clinic is considered a Primary Care Manager site under TRICARE Prime, the Department of Defense’s health maintenance organization.

More about Thomas Bennett