Memorial

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S/Sgt Francis L. Benedict was a miner before he volunteered for the Army of the United States in Missoula, Montana on 10 January 1942.

The citation to his second Bronze Star Medal stated: "S/Sgt Benedict was assigned the mission to clear our DZ of equipment and to assist in the evacuation of men injured during the jump. While engaged in the evacuation of injured, an enemy antiaircraft gun brought accurate fire upon the detail and pinned the men to the ground. While his men moved to cover, S/Sgt Benedict covered them by advancing upon the enemy gun installations. Armed with a rifle and hand grenaded, he crossed open ground to a position within range of the enemy. By this act S/Sgt Benedict assured the safe evacuation of our wounded and contributed directly to the destruction of one enemy gun and an undetermined number of enemy."

S/Sgt Benedict was reported Missing in Action on 17 September 1944 and presumed officialy dead as of 18 September 1945.

In 1947, a Mr. Zwitserloot of Groesbeek was an eyewitness when personal effects of S/Sgt Benedict were found. He stated that he was working on the "Wylerbaan" about 1,5 miles east of Groesbeek, when a Mr. B. Nelissen, working with him, noticed some bones by the side of the road. Digging down they located a small purse, containing a few coins and a wedding band; also a notebook and an identification bracelet. These items were on top of the body. They turned the coins, ring and bracelet over to the mayor of Groesbeek and left the notebook on the body. Mr. Porter, cemetery superintendant of the U.S. Military Cemetery Molenhoek obtained these effects and turned them in to Headquarters, Forst Zone. Mr. Porter stated he dug down in the grave until he located a pair of German type boots, but did not investigate further.
As this road (Wylerbaan) was widened by the British in 1944-1945, graves that were alongside the road were obliberated. It is possible this bracelet was found along the road and buried in this grave. A check of the local German and Canadian cemeteries failed to reveal any Benedict buried in either places.

Further investigations on the terrain and of German records in May 1950 couldn't give and information about the location of his remains.