World War II Honoree

Earl Steen Benson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Scobey, Montana

Honored By

Ruby Benson

Relationship

Wife

COMPLETED MILITARY BASIC TRAINING AT THE U.S. NAVAL TRAINING STATION IN FARRAGUT, IDAHO. SERVED AS A SHIP’S COOK ABOARD 2 AUXILIARY SHIPS IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS, THE STORE SHIP USS SILICA IX-151 AND THE BARRACK SHIP USS ORVETTA IX-157. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE USS ORVETTA AFTER THE USS SILICA WAS DRIVEN AGROUND IN BUCKNER BAY, OKINAWA BY A TYPHOON AND LATER ABANDONED AND SUNK BY THE NAVY. PARTICIPATED IN THE PHILIPPINE AND OKINAWA CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.