World War II Honoree

Kenneth 'Ken' M. Benson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Stillwater, Minnesota

Honored By

Pam Horovitz

Relationship

Daughter

ENLISTED IN THE NAVY ON JUNE 26, 1944 IN STILLWATER, MINNESOTA. HE WAS SENT TO CAMP FARRAGUT IN COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO FOR 13 WEEKS OF TRAINING AFTER WHICH HE BECAME AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN, STOREKEEPER 2ND CLASS, AND ASSIGNED TO THE SEABEES. AFTER TRANSFER TO CAMP SHOEMAKER IN CALIFORNIA, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 42ND REGIMENT, 10TH BRIGADE, 36TH BATTALION. THE TROOPS SET SAIL FROM SAN FRANCISCO. THE DESTINATION WAS OKINAWA AND THE ASSIGNMENT WAS TO BUILD 5 AIRFIELDS FROM WHICH U.S. FIGHTER PLANES COULD REACH JAPAN. AS A STOREKEEPER, HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ORDERING FOOD, RICE IN PARTICULAR, AND SUPPLIES FOR THE TROOPS UNDER COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN ROY HARRIS. HE LEFT OKINAWA IN NOVEMBER OF 1946 ON A TROOP TRANSPORT SHIP. AFTER A WELCOME STOP IN HONOLULU, HE ARRIVED BACK IN ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA AND WAS DISCHARGED ON DECEMBER 2, 1946 WITH TWO NAVY COMMENDATIONS, A STAR FOR SERVICE IN THE AMERICAN AREA AND A SECOND FOR SERVICE IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC.