World War II Honoree

Ira Ebert Benbow

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Arvin, California

Honored By

Kenneth L. Benbow

Relationship

Son

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE NOVEMBER 23, 1942 IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. HONORABLY DISCHARGED OCTOBER 18, 1945 FROM DAVIS-MONTHAN FIELD IN TUCSON, ARIZONA. ENTERED BASIC TRAINING AT ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA AND LATER TRANSFERRED TO GUNNERY SCHOOL AT AMARILLO, TEXAS, WHERE HE REACHED THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT WITH A MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AIRPLANE MECHANIC GUNNER. SERVED IN THE AIR OFFENSIVE EUROPE CAMPAIGN WITH THE 365TH BOMBER SQUAD, 305TH BOMBER GROUP IN ENGLAND. SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED 27 AIR COMBAT MISSIONS AS A B-17 TAIL GUNNER. RECEIVED THE AIR MEDAL, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND BRONZE STAR FOR HONORABLE DUTY SERVED.