WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Monday naming the Perryville post office after Staff Sgt. Harold George Bennett, a prisoner of war from Arkansas who was executed after trying to escape from his captors in Vietnam.
He was the first member of the U.S. armed forces to be killed in captivity by the Viet Cong. The U.S. government called his June 1965 slaying a "wanton act of murder" and a violation of the Geneva Conventions.
The 24-year-old's remains were never returned to his home country.
An Army Ranger, Bennett had volunteered to serve in Vietnam. When enemy forces overran his location, he twice called off helicopter teams that were trying to rescue him, saying it was too dangerous.
In 2010, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest combat decoration.
This is the second time the House has approved legislation to name the post office at 201 B St. in Perryville after Bennett. The first bill passed in July 2014, but died in the Senate.
House Resolution 2928 is sponsored by 2nd District U.S. Rep. French Hill. The three other Arkansans in the House delegation are co-sponsors.
In a news release, Hill said the nation would "honor Sergeant Bennett's heroism, bravery, and service by installing a permanent marker of his lasting contribution to his native state and nation he served so ably. Duty, honor, country: his example is one all Americans and Arkansans can admire."
Former U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, Hill's predecessor and the Little Rock Republican who introduced a similar bill in 2014, called Monday's vote "good news."
"If anyone is worthy of recognition and honor, it's this gentleman," said Griffin, who now is Arkansas' lieutenant governor. "I'm proud of Congressman Hill for picking it up, running with it and getting it done."
U.S. Sen. John Boozman has introduced similar legislation in the Senate. The Republican from Rogers welcomed Monday's vote.
"Sergeant Bennett's story of courage, patriotism and sacrifice should be preserved for future generations. His hometown seeks to honor this true American hero with this tribute. I'm pleased to see that the House is moving forward on that request and will be working with my colleagues in the Senate to finish the process," Boozman said in a written statement.
NW News on 04/22/2016