The American Soldier Who Went on a One-Man Rampage Against a Battalion of Communists
The fascinating courage of America’s real-life Rambo
Who doesn’t know Sylvester Stallone’s box-office hit, Rambo? John Rambo was a soldier of the U.S. Army who fought in the Vietnam War, and he was a member of the elite force, the Green Beret. Rambo was so iconic that he became a legend.
In real life, Americans indeed had a Rambo. He was Master Sergeant Raul Perez “Roy” Benevidez, aka Tango Mike Mike. A member of the Green Berets and a Veteran who fought in the Vietnam War, not once, but twice. His gallantry seemed second to none when he sacrificed himself, went on a one-man rampage to save his comrades, and ensure classified information won’t get into the hands of the communists.
If only they turned Perez’s life story into a Hollywood film, John Rambo would look like a second-rate hero.
Early Life in Texas
Benavidez was born in Lindenau near Cuero, Texas in DeWitt County in August 5, 1935. He was a native of Benavides, Texas, and was the son of a Mexican-American farmer, Salvador Benavidez, Jr., and a Yaqui Indian mother, Teresa Perez.
Benevidez became an orphan at an early age. His father died of tuberculosis when he was two…
