World War II Honoree

Jerry Benson

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Honored By

Bend Heroes Foundation

FIREMAN/WATER TENDER, ENLISTED IN THE U.S. COAST GUARD AND MERCHANT MARINE ON 4 JUNE 1945 IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. HE SERVED IN THE PACIFIC AS A MERCHANT SEAMAN ABOARD THE TYPE C4 VICTORY SHIPS SS WEST LINN VICTORY AND SS LAS VEGAS VICTORY, DURING PREPARATIONS FOR THE INVASION OF JAPAN. THE TYPE C4 CLASS SHIPS WERE THE LARGEST CARGO SHIPS BUILT BY THE UNITED STATES DURING WWII.