Robert Waldemar Benson

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Awarded for military service for service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between December 7, 1941 and November 8, 1945.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.
 **It is likely but unconfirmed that PFC Benson was posthumously awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Grave Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No Official Regiment or Division After Action Report
Yes Photo of veteran, Find A Grave
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data
Yes WWII Hospital Admission Records

American Battle Monuments Commission Data
Robert W. Benson
Service # 39195388
Unit 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Rank Private First Class U.S. Army
Entered Service From: Washington
Date of Death: June 7, 1944
Buried
 Plot: C, Row: 19, Grave: 36
 Normandy American Cemetery
 Colleville-sur-Mer, France
Awards:
 Purple Heart


WWII Draft Card Data
Robert Waldemar Benson
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 21
Birth Date: February 16, 1921  -  Birth Place: Howard, South Dakota
Residence Place: Mountain View, Pierce County, Washington
Registration Date: February 16, 1942  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: Mountain View Sanitorium
Weight: 180, Height: 5' 8"
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Brown   -  Hair Color: Black
Next of Kin: Gunner Benson
Members of Household: Robert Waldemar Benson, Self
Gunner Benson, Brother

WWII Hospital Admission Records
Name: Robert W. Benson
Rank: Enlisted Man
Admission Age: Not Listed
Birth Date: Not Listed
Admission Date: June 1944
Discharge Date: June 1944
Military Branch: Infantry, Parachute Troops or Units
Diagnosis:
  First Location: [Information withheld]
  Second Location: Unknown, code not applicable;
  Causative Agent: None or Unknown
Type of Injury: Casualty, battle
Injured in Line of Duty: In line of duty
Type of Discharge: Died
Service Number: 39195388

Note 1: The death location, "In Normandy, France" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of PFC Benson, this location was estimated on:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

B. At the time PFC Benson was Killed In Action the 82nd Airborne Division was conducting combat operations in Normandy, France on June 7, 1944.

C. Hospital Admission Records indicate that PFC Benson died during June 1944, as a result of unknown combat wounds.

D. Further information on the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 82nd Airborne Division can be found at the Wikipedia sites 82nd Airborne Division, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) - See Note 2

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