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World War II Honoree

World War II Veteran

Frank Joseph Benak, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Buchanan, Michigan

Honored By

Karin Heymer

Branch Seal
Activity During WWII

ENLISTED IN APRIL 1942 AND WAS SENT TO OFFICERS AND FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOOL IN SAN ANTONIO AND RECEIVED HIS WINGS IN LUBBOCK, TEXAS. HE WAS A FIRST LIEUTENANT AND B-26 BOMBER PILOT IN THE 432ND BOMB SQUADRON, 17TH BOMB GROUP. COMPLETED 70 MISSIONS, 64 OF WHICH WERE IN COMBAT AND HE RECEIVED THE AIR MEDAL AND 6 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, CROIX DE GUERRE AVEC PALME FRENCH ARMY AIR FORCE 44, AND EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE MEDAL.