Corporal Henry ‘Ben’ Townsend
Townsend Detachment # 920 Marine Corps League is named in honor of
Henry ‘Ben’ Townsend, Corporal United States Marine Corps.
Ben Townsend was born, January ll, 1962, and raised in the greater Montgomery area and graduated High School in 1981. After high school he enlisted under the “Buddy Program” in the United States Marine Corps. He completed basic training at Paris Island, S.C., and advanced infantry training at Camp Lejeune,N.C. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune with the 1st Battalion 8th Marine Regiment.
Lance Corporal Townsend was deployed for “Peace Keeping Duties” to Beirut, Lebanon, with an international peace keeping force. On Sunday morning, October 23, 1983 the barracks in which L/Cpl Townsend was sleeping was attacked by a terrorist with a truck bomb. L/Cpl Townsend survived the initial bombing and was medevacked to Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda Maryland. L/Cpl Townsend died at Walter Reed Hospital on December 2, 1983 as a result of his injuries. Townsend received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Corporal and was awarded a Purple Heart.
The greater Montgomery Area rallied for the funeral and procession to the Gilmer Cemetery in Pike Road. Local residents lined the roadway from the church to the cemetery. Honoring a true American Hero who gave his life for his country.
On Memorial Day, 2015 the Townsend Detachment placed a foot stone at the grave of Corporal Townsend. His parents, siblings and other relatives were in attendance. Annually the Townsend Detachment replaces the flags at his grave on Memorial Day and conducts a Memorial Service in October of each year. Townsend Detachment is proud to stand with the memory of Corporal Henry ‘Ben’ Townsend. Ben Townsend gave his life for his God, his Country, his Family and his Corps. Semper Fi Ben Townsend. We will always remember.
Townsend Detachment # 920
Marine Corps League
Montgomery Alabama