Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
BENSON, Howard D - Date of
birth
27 December 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Santa Clara County, California -
Hometown
Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39122379 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
325th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
4 January 1944 - Place of
death
Oppendorf an der Schwentine, near Schönkirchen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 18 | 16 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John Benson (father)
Josephine (Hansen) Benson (mother)
Mildred J. Benson (sister)
Evelyn Benson (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3494 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Kiel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port area
MACR: 1961
More information
Sgt Howard D. Benson was a blacksmith before he enlisted in San Francisco, California, on 28 January 1943.The aircraft was downed by flak at 1145 hrs. It blew up over target and crashed in Oppendorf, near Schönkirchen, Germany.
All crew members were killed and initially buried at the Garrison Cemetery in Kiel on 8 January 1944.
Sgt Benson was first buried at Ardennes in a temporary grave on 25 May 1946. He was disinterred on 22 November 1948, and his remains were prepared and placed in a casket on 30 November 1948. He was given his final resting place on 25 April 1949.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Ronny Dreesen, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.Fold3.com - MACR, WWII Enlistment Record, www.8thafhs.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census, U1-Benson Family Tree.
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Ronny en Carla Dreesen - Vankerkom/Yearbook 1940