BM2 Benoit inducted into Vets Hall of Honor

Former Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Gil Benoit was inducted into the Louisiana Veterans Hall of Honor as part of Veteran's Day Ceremonies at Louisiana's Old State Capitol building in Baton Rouge, La., Nov. 11, 2009. Benoit is a veteran of the Vietnam War and served from 1965 to 1971. During his six years of service, Benoit was deployed to Antarctica for Operation Deep Freeze, was deployed to Vietnam aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Point Breaks, and was later assigned to Division Operations, where his duties included coast watching and small boat operations. During a patrol, Benoit was wounded while attempting to intercept Sampans that were infiltrating South Vietnam. Benoit is a founding member of the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tom Atkeson.