Evald Wallace Eugene Benson

Military
media-37369.jpeg UPL 37369 2nd Lt Evald W. Benson (photo via son Chuck)

Photos received February 2019 from son Chuck Benson

Object Number - UPL 37369 - 2nd Lt Evald W. Benson (photo via son Chuck)

Evald Benson reported to the ETO on 4 April 1943. He flew as Co-Pilot on the Thomas Ledgerwood crew, but was flying with Berryman Brown when shot down. He completed 5 missions before being shot down on the 29 July 1943 Kiel mission in B-17 #42-5766. Prisoner of War (POW). Awards : Air Medal, Purple Heart.

Connections

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Units served with

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-734790
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-79
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-736836
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20842063 at enlistment, then O-791459
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Kane, Pennsylvania, USA 11 April 1915 the son of Swedish-born Charles and Albertine Benson

Enlisted

13 March 1942 as a Private in the Air Corps, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Other

Bailed out

29 July 1943 over Germany of B-17 42-5766

Other

landed

29 July 1943 in a canal or lake East of Kiesby, Germany. Was rescued by a German leisure boat and brought to shore at Arnis, where he was arrested

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

29 July 1943 - 29 April 1945 Interned at Stalag Luft 3, Sagan, Poland. Force-marched from there to Stalag 7A, Moosburg, Germany and liberated there on 29 April 1945 by US troops. NARA WWII POW records : "Returned to Military Control 25 January 1946 (sic)."

Other

Honorably discharged

13 December 1945

Died

12 January 1991 Kane, McKean County, Pennsylvania, USA
Kane, McKean County, Pennsylvania, USA

Buried

Evald Benson rests at the Mount Tabor Cemetery in Kane, McKean County, Pennsylvania, USA

Revisions

Date
Contributorchuck benson
Changes
Sources

Filed by C.L. Benson, son

Date
Contributorchuck benson
Changes
Sources

Son

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 120
US CENSUS 1930
WWII Draft Cards
NARA WWII Enlistment records
NARA WWII POW records
VETERANS' BIRLS file

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

MACR 120, NARA, Russell Strong Index Cards, 306th BGA Collection, First Over Germany pg. 148,

Data update, National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 15 September 2014

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 120 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Evald Wallace Eugene Benson: Gallery (3 items)