This Military Service Page was created/owned by
MSG Robert Sneathen ( Blue Coat-3)
to remember
Purcell, Benjamin Harrison, Jr., COL USA(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Columbus
Last Address Clarksville, GA
Date of Passing Apr 02, 2013
Location of Interment Level Grove Baptist Chruch Cemetery - Carnelia, Georgia
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
His 2nd Silver Star Citation reads:
For gallantry in action: Colonel Benjamin H. Purcell, Infantry, distinguished himself by gallantry and intrepidity in action as a Prisoner of War in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia during March 1972. With profound courage and a strong conviction in the Code of Conduct he escaped from an enemy prisoner of war camp, knowing that the odds of success were slight and that if recaptured he would receive torture and long periods in solitary confinement. The success of his escape was short lived, and he was recaptured and punished. This officer's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military services and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.
1967-1968, 80th General Support Group, Army Support Command, Danang
80th General Support Group, Army Support Command, Danang Details
Originally designated as the 80th Ordnance Group, the organization was activated on 25 January 1945 at Luneville, France and then later that year inactivated at Ft. Benning, Georgia. It was again reactivated at Red River Arsenal, Texas in 1954 and redesignated as the 80th General Support Group in 1966 when it moved to Vietnam.
After more than five years of distinguished service supporting 13 campaigns in Vietnam, the organization was inactivated in 1972. Redesignated the 80th Support Group [Area], or more commonly the 80th ASG, the organization was provisionally reactivated at Chievres, Belgium on 30 August 1984.
It joined the NATO/SHAPE Support Group [U.S.] in Brussels, which was activated on 1 April 1967, and moved to Caserne Daumerie later that year. The organization is now called U.S. Army Garrison Benelux [NATO/SHAPE Support Group].
In meeting the special demands of this international environment, USAG Benelux maintains subordinate garrisons in Schinnen, The Netherlands, and Brussels, Belgium. USAG Benelux also supports communities in the areas of Luxembourg, France, the United Kingdom and northern Germany.
