What are the origins of - tango mike mike?

SPC David S. — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 14:14:27 -0400

The US Special Forces have a phrase that's spoken over the radio when a firefight is going badly or when courage needs to be summoned. They call out - tango mike mike. If you every heard this you were more than likely in the hurt and know this - however this is the history behind its meaning.

http://www.garfieldsteamhouse.org/History/Vietnam/TangoMikeMike-RoyBenavidez.php

Tango Mike Mike The story of Roy Benavidez

This is the story and memorial to Roy P Benavidez. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in Vietnam.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 11 at 2017 2:52 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 14:52:50 -0400

Thank you for the great video share and article.

Response by SFC George Sease made Aug 11 at 2017 3:05 PM

SFC George Sease — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 15:05:05 -0400

This is a great article. Thank you for sharing it. I learned something new. Rest In Peace Master Sargent and thank you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2017 3:06 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 15:06:46 -0400

Great video. Got goosebumps watching it. What an amazing hero.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2017 3:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 15:07:51 -0400

President Reagan was right. Unbelievable!!!

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Aug 11 at 2017 3:34 PM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 15:34:01 -0400

David I put in many years as an SF guy and MSG Roy Benavidez has been at the top of my hero list the entire time. I have no idea how many times I have read his MOH award citation. I am so humbled to know I served in the same Army but I am so proud because I served in the same Army.
A true hero

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Aug 11 at 2017 3:43 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 15:43:19 -0400

I had heard the story of SFC Benavidez before, but I have never heard of the Tango Mike Mike portion of the story. Thanks for sharing.

Response by SGT David T. made Aug 11 at 2017 3:52 PM

SGT David T. — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 15:52:59 -0400

This is the first time I heard this story. Thank you fort sharing, this guy was a total bad ass!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2017 4:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 16:22:42 -0400

Amazing story. I am humbled by the heroic and courageous actions of some truly great Americans.

Response by SPC Anthony Schepis made Aug 11 at 2017 5:02 PM

SPC Anthony Schepis — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 17:02:28 -0400

What a beast, time to make a movie about him.

Response by Mark Heick made Aug 11 at 2017 7:09 PM

Mark Heick — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 19:09:30 -0400

What a display of loyalty, courage, and bravery.

Response by Mark Heick made Aug 11 at 2017 7:25 PM

Mark Heick — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 19:25:06 -0400

Why does it sometimes take a while for medals to be awarded, sometimes decades?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2017 9:32 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 21:32:28 -0400

Hats off to a war hero. He is not a hero because he was in a war. He is a hero because he did not give up. I never knew he existed until this post brought him up. Semper Fi!

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Aug 12 at 2017 8:13 AM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 08:13:04 -0400

Master Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Roy P. Benavidez United States Army, who distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely valorous actions on 2 May 1968 while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 2 May 1968, a 12-man Special Forces Reconnaissance Team was inserted by helicopters in a dense jungle area west of Loc Ninh, Vietnam to gather intelligence information about confirmed large-scale enemy activity. This area was controlled and routinely patrolled by the North Vietnamese Army. After a short period of time on the ground, the team met heavy enemy resistance, and requested emergency extraction. Three helicopters attempted extraction, but were unable to land due to intense enemy small arms and anti-aircraft fire. Sergeant Benavidez was at the Forward Operating Base in Loc Ninh monitoring the operation by radio when these helicopters returned to off-load wounded crewmembers and to assess aircraft damage. Sergeant Benavidez voluntarily boarded a returning aircraft to assist in another extraction attempt. Realizing that all the team members were either dead or wounded and unable to move to the pickup zone, he directed the aircraft to a nearby clearing where he jumped from the hovering helicopter, and ran approximately 75 meters under withering small arms fire to the crippled team. Prior to reaching the team's position he was wounded in his right leg, face, and head. Despite these painful injuries, he took charge, repositioning the team members and directing their fire to facilitate the landing of an extraction aircraft, and the loading of wounded and dead team members. He then threw smoke canisters to direct the aircraft to the team's position. Despite his severe wounds and under intense enemy fire, he carried and dragged half of the wounded team members to the awaiting aircraft. He then provided protective fire by running alongside the aircraft as it moved to pick up the remaining team members. As the enemy's fire intensified, he hurried to recover the body and classified documents on the dead team leader. When he reached the leader's body, Sergeant Benavidez was severely wounded by small arms fire in the abdomen and grenade fragments in his back. At nearly the same moment, the aircraft pilot was mortally wounded, and his helicopter crashed. Although in extremely critical condition due to his multiple wounds, Sergeant Benavidez secured the classified documents and made his way back to the wreckage, where he aided the wounded out of the overturned aircraft, and gathered the stunned survivors into a defensive perimeter. Under increasing enemy automatic weapons and grenade fire, he moved around the perimeter distributing water and ammunition to his weary men, reinstilling in them a will to live and fight. Facing a buildup of enemy opposition with a beleaguered team, Sergeant Benavidez mustered his strength, began calling in tactical air strikes and directed the fire from supporting gunships to suppress the enemy's fire and so permit another extraction attempt. He was wounded again in his thigh by small arms fire while administering first aid to a wounded team member just before another extraction helicopter was able to land. His indomitable spirit kept him going as he began to ferry his comrades to the craft. On his second trip with the wounded, he was clubbed from additional wounds to his head and arms before killing his adversary. He then continued under devastating fire to carry the wounded to the helicopter. Upon reaching the aircraft, he spotted and killed two enemy soldiers who were rushing the craft from an angle that prevented the aircraft door gunner from firing upon them. With little strength remaining, he made one last trip to the perimeter to ensure that all classified material had been collected or destroyed, and to bring in the remaining wounded. Only then, in extremely serious condition from numerous wounds and loss of blood, did he allow himself to be pulled into the extraction aircraft. Sergeant Benavidez' gallant choice to join voluntarily his comrades who were in critical straits, to expose himself constantly to withering enemy fire, and his refusal to be stopped despite numerous severe wounds, saved the lives of at least eight men. His fearless personal leadership, tenacious devotion to duty, and extremely valorous actions in the face of overwhelming odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect the utmost credit on him and the United States Army.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Aug 12 at 2017 8:21 AM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 08:21:08 -0400

Sorry I have gotten off on somewhat of a TBI rant with this.
To many of our Nation have the wrong Idea of what a hero is. Its not some jackass who works 6 months a year in DC and thinks they have it hard. Its not some jackass who will not stand for the National Anthem, its great warriors like the MSG. I am going to stop here before I offend everyone including myself.

Response by PFC Roger Goff made Aug 13 at 2017 1:40 PM

PFC Roger Goff — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 13:40:02 -0400

https://youtu.be/w5yJKzEzX54

Ronald Reagan presents the CMOH to MSG Roy Benavidez. SPC David S.

Reagan's Remarks on Presenting the Medal of Honor to Roy P. Benavidez — 2/24/81

For more information on the ongoing works of President Reagan's Foundation, please visit http://www.reaganfoundation.org

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Aug 13 at 2017 7:40 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 19:40:51 -0400

Roy Benevidez call sign was Tango Mike Mike

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 13 at 2017 10:12 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 22:12:20 -0400

If he was still alive we could deport him

Response by MSgt Jim Ratliff made Aug 22 at 2017 10:22 PM

MSgt Jim Ratliff — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 22:22:13 -0400

A long while ago I used to be in the SecDef and CJCS office. We have a small elevator going to the garage and on the wall was a photo of him and the commendation. I always liked the idea that every time we left they would see an honest hero.

Response by A1C Allen Coons made Aug 23 at 2017 12:39 PM

A1C Allen Coons — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 12:39:56 -0400

Just read a brief synopsis of Roy Benavidez. WOW! Nobody would believe it if this were a Hollywierd script. I am in awe of this man's courage and determination of spirit in the face of odds that a lesser man would have succumbed to. Makes me proud to be an American. He couldn't have done what he did if he were not a Proud American! Descansa en paz, Sargento Benavidez. ¡Dios te bendiga!

Response by MSG Frederick Otero made Jun 14 at 2018 3:21 PM

MSG Frederick Otero — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 15:21:43 -0400

A TRUE WARRIOR.

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Mar 21 at 2021 6:30 PM

1LT Voyle Smith — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 18:30:18 -0400

MSG Benavidez was some piece of work! He just wasn’t going down, no matter how much lead and steel the commies filled him with. His hometown of Cuero, Texas is famous for him and turkeys; the local farmers produce lots of big fat turkeys. (The town’s name is pronounced “kwerow” if anyone is interested; it’s about 100 miles SE of San Antonio on US 87, and about 20 miles north of the missus’
family ranch.)