World War II Honoree

John Lewis Benton

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Hamlet, North Carolina

Honored By

U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.

Relationship

Shipmates

GRADUATE OF THE NAVAL ACADEMY, CLASS OF 1942. CLASS WAS ACCELERATED AND GRADUATED IN DECEMBER OF 1941. SERVED ABOARD THE USS NORTH CAROLINA AND WAS KILLED IN ACTION WITH ALL HANDS ONBOARD USS GRAMPUS (SS 207). DECORATIONS: PURPLE HEART. USS GRAMPUS WAS MOST LIKELY SUNK IN ACTION ON 5 MARCH 1943 WHEN TWO JAPANESE DESTROYERS, THEMSELVES LOST 2 DAYS LATER, CONDUCTED AN ATTACK IN BLACKETT STRAIT, WHERE A HEAVY OIL SLICK WAS SIGHTED THE FOLLOWING DAY, INDICATING THAT GRAMPUS MAY HAVE BEEN LOST THERE IN A NIGHT ATTACK OR GUN BATTLE AGAINST THE DD'S. GRAMPUS WENT DOWN WITH 71 OFFICERS AND MEN.