Benjamin H. Vandervoort

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Benjamin Hayes "Vandy" Vandervoort (* 3rd March 1917 in Gasport, New York; † 22nd November 1990) was an American soldier with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, who fought in the Second World War. He was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

After his service as a lieutenant in the infantry, he joined the newly established paratroopers in the summer of 1940. He became a member of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, when it was created.

Vandervoort was the S-3 of James M. Gavin, when the regiment was to be dropped over Sicily during the Operation Husky. Later he was made a company commander in the same regiment. After being promoted on 2nd June 1944 to Lieutenant Colonel, he took part in the Battle of Normandy and Operation Market Garden and other operations in the European theatre of operations. General Matthew B. Ridgway described him one time as ”[...] one of the bravest and toughest battle commanders I ever knew” ^[1]. In Goronne he was wounded by mortar fire, so that he was unable to take part in the divisions' pursuit to Germany. In 1946 Vandervoort retired from the US-Army.

After he left the army Vandervoort worked for the CIA ^[2]. He also established a family of his own. With his wife Nedra he had two children; a son and a daughter. Vandervoort's role in the Normandy campaign was portrayed by John Wayne in the movie The Longest Day. The role of Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin H. Vandervoort was actively sought by Charlton Heston but the last-minute decision of John Wayne to take a role in the film prevented Heston from participating.

Benjamin Vandervoort died on the 22nd November 1990 at the age of 73 years at a nursing home from the effects of a fall.