Robert J. Benson

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Air Medal Awarded for Heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. The required achievement to warrant award of the AM is less than that required for the DFC, but must be accomplished with distinction above and beyond that expected of professional airmen.
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.
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.
 **Medals most likely awarded posthumously.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes American Air Museum in Britain Listing Robert J Benson
Yes Eyewitness Statement or Report, Find A Grave
Yes Grave Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
Yes Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 08850 #42-7466 "FORD'S FOLLY" at www.b24.net, (2nd report on the page)
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records, Aviation Cadet
Yes Photo of veteran, Find A Grave
Yes QMC Form 14, Interment In the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
No  WWII Draft Card Data
No  WWII Hospital Admission Records

WWII Draft Card Data
  None Found

WWII Hospital Admission Records
  None Found

Note 1: The death location, "In or Over Winnen, Germany" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of 2LT Benson, this location was verified on:

A. His QMC Form 14, Interment In the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery document, identifies his assigned unit as the 578th Bomb Squadron, 392nd Bomb Group.

B. At the time 2LT Benson was Killed In Action the 392nd Bomb Group was conducting bombing operations with a target of Hanover Germany on September 11, 1944. The B-24 Liberator, Tail Number 42-7466, Nick Name "Ford's Folly" was in route to Hanover but was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed near the village of Winnen, Germany.

C. Detailed records on the B-24 Liberator and 2LT Benson can be found at the American Air Museum in Britain Listing Robert J Benson and the Find A Grave memorial listing 42652766 for 2LT Benson.

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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