Squadron Command Chronology - 6 Feb 1970:
"On 6 Feb 70 - HMM-161 in an attempted recon insert, 1stLt M. J. Benson (Co-pilot) was critically wounded by enemy fire while the Pilot, Capt. B. J. DUNIEC received minor abrasions. 1stLt BENSON succumbed to his wounds on 26 February 1970. Additional Note: “He was hospitalized aboard the USS REPOSE."
Submitted by John Lane, Researcher

Comment on Incident::
HMM-161 relocated their Squadron from Phu Bai to MMAF, Da Nang on February 2-3, 1970.

Personal Narrative:
Marty was flying copilot for Brian Duniac on an insert into the Tennis Courts southwest of Da Nang several weeks prior to his death. Can't recall the specific organization they were supporting, but it was a unit rather than a team since there were H-53's also involved in the mission. As they commenced their flare to landing, the zone, and aircraft were saturated with small arms fire. Marty caught a round through the groin into the abdomen. He spent a while at the hospital in Da Nang and died of complications from the wound.

The reason I know there were 53's involved was an incident that occurred in the O'Club that night. Brian was trying to put it all together in his mind, when some of the H-53 crews showed up bragging about the hot zone they were in that day (at the time, H-53's were restricted to admin runs because of the paucity of assets). Since the H-53's hadn't even made an approach, Brian (an ex Univ of Illinois lineman who was prone to physical demonstrations of his emotions) took exception to what he considered admin pilot BS and cold cocked three of them before we could get him out of there.
Submitted by Robert H. Quinter Jr, HMM-161 Sqdrn Flight Off

Personal Narrative:
Brian and I played on the same high school football team (Fenwick High School) in Oak Park, IL. For the record, he played college football with Dick Butkus at the University of Illinois and not Ohio State-although the way his teams played at the U of I, I'll bet Ohio State wish they had had a player of his character and abilities. We talked about his aircraft getting shot up ( I was with HML-167 and H&MS-16 at the time) and he was livid regarding the H-53 O'Club incident.
Submitted by Steve Murray, personal friend of Brian Duniec

MAG-16 Command Chronology - Feb 1970:

MAG-16 Command Chronology - Feb 1970
Submitted by Ken Davis, Researcher, Researcher, The Virtual Wall

DD-1300 for 1/Lt Marty Benson:

DD-1300 for 1/Lt Marty Benson
Submitted by Ken Davis, Researcher, The Virtual Wall