EDWARD CLYDE BENFOLD

Captain Michael Abrashoff was brought in to speak to the Bengals during the off-week they had with a bye in their schedule. He is the captain of the US Navy ship, USS Benfold, and author of the book "Its Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy." The subject of the book is obvious from the title and its relativity to this football team is also obvious. Carson Palmer received the book from his father, read it and passed it on to coach Marvin Lewis. The Captain's key message is that every person in an organization must be made to realize that they are important. Lets hope this message is taken to heart by the Bengals.


The USS Benfold is a destroyer which is a class of ship that is relatively small but is fast and lethal in an attack as well as in defense of a battle group. This ship was named for US Navy Hospitalman Third Class Edward Clyde Benfold. Benfold died at the age of 21 while serving 'in country' with the 1st Marine Division during the Korean Conflict. He posthumously received our country's highest honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor. Following is the citation that was attached to the award. You should know, to appreciate the citation, that a battalion is about five times the size of a company. Prepare to be touched.

For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Hospital Corpsman, attached to a company in the First Marine Division during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on September 5, 1952. When his company was subjected to heavy artillery and mortar barrages, followed by a determined assault during the hours of darkness by an enemy force estimated at battalion strength, Benfold resolutely moved from position to position in the face of intense hostile fire, treating the wounded and lending words of encouragement. Leaving the protection of his sheltered position to treat the wounded when the platoon area in which he was working was attacked from both the front and the rear, he moved forward to an exposed ridge line where he observed two Marines in a large crater. As he approached the two men to determine their condition, an enemy soldier threw two grenades into the crater while two other enemies charged the position. Picking up a grenade in each hand, Benfold leaped out of the crater and hurled himself against the onrushing hostile soldiers, pushing the grenades against their chests and killing both the attackers. Mortally wounded while carrying out this heroic act, Benfold, by his great personal valor and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, was directly responsible for saving the lives of his two comrades. His exceptional courage reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for others.