The family of Winchester native Glen Doherty, who was killed in a terrorist attack on an American compound in Benghazi, will finally be awarded $400,000 in death benefits.
(BostonHerald)- U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Malden) introduced legislation last year called the “Glen Anthony Doherty Overseas Security Personnel Fairness Act” to ensure that the families of U.S. contractors who are working for the CIA are compensated when their loved ones die in combat.
“We will never forget the sacrifice Glen Doherty made defending our nation, and this benefit for the Doherty family honors that courage and service,” Markey said in a statement. “It is only right that the Doherty family and all the families who have lost loved ones overseas are fully compensated and honored for their heroism.”
Doherty, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, was part of a CIA security team in Tripoli who learned the American compound in Benghazi was under attack on Sept. 11, 2012, and traveled there. He was one of four Americans killed.
The Doherty family while in mourning for a son, have fought a multi-year battle with the CIA over an administrative rule denying benefits to contractors without dependents. His relatives were denied a $400,000 death benefit.
“I remember the bitterness Glen’s friends and I felt the moment we realized the U.S. government was not providing a death benefit for our friend and American hero. I still struggle with the fact that our government could be so negligent in its duty. It’s great to know that the hard work the Doherty family and others put forth with pressuring the CIA, and other government officials, is finally paying off for other American families in the same situation dating back to the 1980s. This would make my friend Glen very proud.”
-Brandon Webb, former SEAL teammate and friend of Glen Doherty