World War II Honoree

Clifford E. Benefield

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Xenia, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON OCTOBER 28, 1941 AT SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI. AFTER BASIC TRAINING, SERVED IN ALASKA FROM OCTOBER 31, 1942 TO MARCH 24, 1944. REASSIGNED TO AND SERVED AS A QUARTERMASTER WITH THE 5TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND RYUKYUS CAMPAIGNS. EARNED AND HELD AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING HIS TOUR OF DUTY THE SPECIAL MILITARY QUALIFICATIONS OF CLERK/TYPIST, ANTI-AIRCRAFT MACHINE GUN CREWMAN AND DRILL INSTRUCTOR. EARNED THE MARINE CORPS GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH MULTIPLE BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE DEPOT OF SUPPLIES, U.S. MARINE CORPS, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, AS A CORPORAL (LINE) (TW) ON 13 NOVEMBER, 1945.