Written by: 2-Star Rear Admiral, Tina A. Shanahan.

Benny was always very clear about his priorities in life. Benny loved 3 things, God, country, and his family and he was prepared to give his life for any of them. I am here to tell you that Benny was not only my hero but a true American hero. This is an untold story.

Benny answered the call of his country and he entered the Marine Corps on February 6, 1951, at the age of 20. He attended basic training and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment of the 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, CA. Not many months after enlisting he found himself in the midst of the Korean War where he participated in some of the bloodiest battles of the war. Records of PFC Benjamin DeFonce are few but with the help of Benny’s granddaughter, Sarah, research of military history, and the few military stories told by Benny himself over the years, I was able to piece together much of his story. Let me set the scene.

By the summer of 1951, the Korean War had reached a stalemate as peace negotiations began. The opposing armies faced each other across a line that ran from east to west, through the middle of the Korean peninsula in the central Korean mountain range. Armistice negotiations broke down in August and the United Nations Command (UN) which included American forces, decided to launch a limited offensive in the late summer/early autumn to acquire better defensive terrain and deny the enemy key vantage points from which they could observe and target UN positions.

The UN forces comprised of the American military and our allies were facing a formidable enemy; a communist enemy comprised of the North Korean People's Army (KPA) who were reinforced by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) forces. Both sides were jockeying for position and clashed in several relatively small but intense and bloody battles.

The first battle, known as the Battle of Bloody Ridge began as an attempt by UN forces (which included elements of the 1st Marine Division) to seize a ridge of hills which they believed were being used as observation posts by the enemy to call in enemy artillery fire in an attempt to block the route that UN forces were using as a supply road.

The Battle of Bloody Ridge was short. It only lasted from August 18 – Sept 5th but there were over 2,700 UN casualties and 15,000 communist casualties. It took place west of the area known as the Punchbowl, the site of another historic battle. The Battle of the Punch Bowl took place from August 31- September 21. And finally, a 3rd historic battle, The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge took place northwest of the Punchbowl but was only 1,500 yards from the Battle of Bloody Ridge. This battle took place from September–October 1951. These battles were overlapping in time and all were in very short proximity from each other. In other words, this time period saw thousands upon thousands of casualties. Many American lives were lost and many more wounded. But at the end of the UN offensive in October 1951, UN forces and American forces successfully controlled the line of hills north of the Punch Bowl.

The 1st Marine Division, including the 7th Marines, which included Benny’s platoon met little opposition at 0600 on 31 August as they began their advance, but the enemy KPA forces stiffened the following day. Yet despite the increasing resistance, the marines were able to push forward and take several hills on the northern rim of the Punchbowl. By the opening days of September, the Marines had won the northern tip of the Punchbowl but there were more than 18,000 total casualties including wounded.

While details of Benny’s whereabouts during those battles are scant, we know without a doubt that Benny served within the area of operations of these famous battles. Benny has shared with many that he served at Heart Break Ridge but we know he also served at the Battle of the Punch Bowl.

Benny’s Battalion, the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines received orders to launch an attack at 03:00 am on 11 September from the Hays Line through a narrow valley, across a tributary of River, and then uphill  with the objective of capturing Hill 680. But despite extensive preparatory artillery fire, their advance proceeded slowly with the enemy KPA defenders providing interlocking fire from their bunkers, and by the end of the day, 3/7 Marines were forced to dig in some 300 feet (91 m) south of the summit.

At some point on September 11th amidst the heavy gunfire, PFC DeFonce was shot and wounded. Records show that he received first aid care in the field but refused to abandon the battle station he fought on. PFC DeFonce witnessed the death of many of his fellow Marines until there were only 8 survivors of his platoon.

As nightfall came, the fighting grew more fierce. He was ordered to take cover and reluctantly he and the few remaining Marines retreated but reluctantly and only upon a direct order by his officer in charge, 2nd LT George Ramer.

While its hard to imagine the chaos and devastation of war, let me give you a glimpse into what Benny experienced by reading you the following citation of Medal of Honor recipient, Second Lieutenant George H. Ramer, United States Marine Corps Reserve who was Killed in Action at the Battle of the Punch Bowl on September 12, 1951.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor to 2nd LT George H. Ramer or service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Leader of the Third Platoon in Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced) in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 12 September 1951. Ordered to attack and seize hostile positions atop a hill, vigorously defended by well-entrenched enemy forces delivering massed small-arms, mortar, and machine-gun fire, Second Lieutenant Ramer fearlessly led his men up the steep slopes and, although he and the majority of his unit were wounded during the ascent, boldly continued to spearhead the assault. With the terrain becoming more precipitous near the summit and the climb more perilous as the hostile forces added grenades to the devastating hail of fire, he staunchly carried the attack to the top, personally annihilated one enemy bunker with grenade and carbine fire and captured the objective with his remaining eight men. Unable to hold the position against an immediate, overwhelming hostile counterattack, he ordered his group to withdraw and single-handedly fought the enemy to furnish cover for his men and for the evacuation of three fatally wounded Marines. Severely wounded a second time, Second Lieutenant Ramer refused aid when his men returned to help him and, after ordering them to seek shelter, courageously manned his post until the hostile troops overran his position and he fell mortally wounded. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

2nd LT Ramer was the officer in charge of his platoon in Company I and one of the remaining 8 men under his command were Private First Class, Benjamin DeFonce.

LT Ramer’s, acts of heroism during the Battle of the Punch Bowl might have been long forgotten, just another of the thousands of casualties of a very brutal war. But LT Ramer was Benny’s leader and after the war, he would not give up until LT Ramer was properly recognized. We all know that when Benny puts his mind to something, chances are it’s going to happen. Thanks to Benny’s recollections of the events of that day supported by some of his fellow Marines, he was able to write up his officer in charge who ultimately was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, America’s highest battle honor.

So throughout that day, September 12th, having lost their platoon commander, Broken down, wounded, and exhausted, PFC DeFonce and the few remaining survivors fought on and held their position until they were finally relieved by reinforcements.

It was only after being relieved of duty on September 13th, that PFC Benjamin DeFonce allowed himself to be evacuated to the US Navy Hospital Ship, the U.S.S. Haven. He was riddled with shrapnel on September 11, somehow managed to continue fighting until September 13th, and then after a short period of recovery from his injuries and was sent back to battle on October 1st. Because removal of the shrapnel would have delayed his return to battle, he did not have it removed.

After returning to duty on October 1st, details of Benny’s whereabouts are unknown but we do know that on November 1st, 1951, while out on patrol and setting up a perimeter of barb wire, 20-year-old PFC DeFonce stepped on a Bouncing Betty, a landmine set by enemy forces. This would be his last battle. He was treated in the field, evacuated to the hospital ship, and sent to Japan for stabilization and recovery PFC DeFonce was not able to resume service as a result of his war injuries and was medically retired on 31 August 1952 at the rank of Corporal. PFC DeFonce was wounded twice within 3 months. Benny DeFonce was a patriot and an American Hero.