Monday, April 14, 2014

Lieutenant Joseph Wright Behunin


         Joseph Wright Behunin graduated from BYU in 1966. After graduation he joined the United States Navy Aviation Officer Candidate Program, and in 1967 he was commissioned an Ensign.  He married his wife Nancy on December 8th 1964. They had two sons and a daughter.
        Joseph was a helicopter pilot- but not just any helicopter pilot. He was a member of the search and rescue unit with the mission to recover downed pilots. That means that his job required him to fly into dangerous areas behind enemy lines and find American servicemen before they were killed or captured. He flew  missions in Vietnam, Japan, and the Philippines
Joseph and his crew in Vietnam
    He was awarded the Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and numerous other meals for bravely rescuing pilots as part of the HC-7CSAR Combat Search and Rescue squadron-one of the most decorated squadrons in Vietnam. 


        The picture above is of a memorial in North Carolina to the bravery and sacrifice of the HC-7 "Seadevils." Their whole mission was to forget themselves and fly a whole crew into perilous situations often for the sake of only one man. They all worked together to rescue others, showing extreme commitment, selflessness, and dedication. Joseph was killed in a crash off the coast of Imperial Beach California. His life ended abruptly, but his legacy will live on.

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4 comments:

  1. DerrithAugust 21, 2016 at 9:08 PM

    Thank you for this tribute to Joe Behunin. He was a friend and one of those people you meet in life that stand above the rest. He was an inspiration to many people and is truly missed.

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  2. Grandma FMay 31, 2021 at 8:36 PM

    I have fond memories of Joe. A great man

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  3. Grandma FMay 31, 2021 at 8:36 PM

    I have fond memories of Joe. A great man

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  4. Michhael James ShepherdMarch 5, 2026 at 9:42 AM

    I should first say that I am not in the photograph above. I have endeavored to find a photo of Joe and I together. I did so and sent same to Nancy. With age my memory is fading. I served with Joe for 2 years on Detachments off the Coast of North Vietnam. But take a good look at Joe, at the far left. He was radiant. He was a calming effect at the worst of times. His smile could light up a room and make you forget everything but the task at hand. Our mission was to fly into Harm's Way and pluck a downed Airman out of Tonkin Gul, out of the Jaws of hopelessness. I can't say he loved flying, because I never asked him. I can only say that he'd did it very well. Rest in Peace Joe.

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