William Rial Benjamin

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 Benjamin was posthumously awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes American Battle Monuments Commission Memorial Record
Yes Eyewitness Statement or Report, VT - Veterans Today
Yes Grave Marker Photo Find A Grave
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
Yes Photo of veteran, Find A Grave
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
No  WWII Draft Card Data
No  WWII Hospital Admission Record (Remains Non-recoverable)

American Battle Monuments Commission Data
William Rial Benjamin
Service # 19148659
Unit 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Bomber Group Heavy
Rank Private First Class U.S. Army Air Forces
Entered Service From: Washington
Date of Death: April 20, 1944
Status: Missing In Action [Lost at sea: SS Paul Hamilton Liberty ship]
 Memorialized Tablets of the Missing
 North Africa American Cemetery, Tunisia
Awards:
 Purple Heart

WWII Draft Card Data
  No Records Found

WWII Hospital Admission Records
  No Records Found, Remains Non-recoverable

Note 1: The death location, "Near Algiers in the Mediterranean Sea" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of PFC Benjamin, this location was validated on:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Bomber Group Heavy.

B. At the time PFC Benjamin was Killed In Action he was a military passenger aboard the SS Paul Hamilton (Hull Number 227) Liberty ship. The Liberty ship was attacked near Algiers in the Mediterranean Sea by 23 German Ju 88 bombers. An aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton and detonated the cargo of explosives. The ship sank quickly, there were no survivors.

C. Further information on the SS Paul Hamilton Liberty ship can be found at the Wikipedia website SS Paul Hamilton.

D. Further information on the 831st Bomber Squadron and the 485th Bomber Group Heavy can be found at the American Air Museum in Britain website 831st Bomb Squadron.

Anyone with additional information 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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