It was an honor that few receive. Fayette County resident Col. Ben Malcom (U.S. Army-Ret.) was inducted into the Ga. Military Veteran’s Hall of Fame (GMVHOF) during a Nov. 1 ceremony in Columbus.
Malcom was one of 16 service men inducted in the second annual GMVHOF ceremony.
Malcom was awarded the U.S. Army’s third highest medal, the Silver Star, for valor during the Korean War. It was during the Korean War that 1st Lt. Ben Malcom served as a member of the Far East Command Liaison Detachment.
It was on July 14, 1952 that Malcom distinguished himself by gallantry in action against an armed enemy, the GMVHOF citation said.
“Committed to effect a clandestine amphibious maneuver to destroy enemy gun positions and personnel, Lt. Malcom, commanding a group of partisans, landed on a small island off the enemy mainland in the early morning hours. Confronted by a well-entrenched, numerically-superior foe, he immediately radioed for direct naval gunfire and air strikes on hostile positions.
“During the ensuing bombardment, Lt. Malcom deployed his force in three teams for flexibility of movement and, after the preparatory fire lifted, led his men in a daring assault, overrunning hostile positions and routing the foe. While reorganizing and consolidating the newly won positions, the unit was ruthlessly attacked by a reinforced enemy. Calling for additional air and naval support, Lt. Malcom assigned and coordinated fields of fire and, under his inspirational guidance, the men fought with great courage and skill, inflicting numerous casualties and forcing the enemy to retreat. Lt. Malcom’s aggressive leadership and intrepid actions reflect the utmost credit upon himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of military service,” the citation read.
Along with the Silver Star, Malcom has also received the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge.
