World War II Honoree

Arturo Trinidad Benavides

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

He was attending the Texas A&M University in his 3rd year of law school when he was drafted. He was sworn into the United States Army on May 20, 1942 at the Induction Station, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. He received his basic training at Camp Fannin in East Texas. His training was fast tracked as the need was great in European Theater of Operations. He received additional training at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey in preparation for combat in Europe. He was shipped out to Europe on the HMS Queen Elizabeth. He landed in Liverpool, England on August 22, 1944. He was assigned to Headquarters Battalion of the 39th Signal Division in support of the Army's march to Berlin. He was a technician 4th grade as a specialist in communication. The Battalion's sole purpose was to support the command of General George Patton's march to Berlin. He was in combat action at the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944-1945, the coldest winter in 50 years. He arrived in Berlin shortly after the surrender of Germany and he was immediately shipped back to Liverpool on November 20, 1945 to be placed on a transport to arrive in New York City on December 7, 1945. He was placed on a troop train bound Fort Sam Houston to be released from active duty on December 16, 1945. He immediately returned to his hometown of Laredo, Texas. He received the following commendations: Two Overseas Service Bars, the American Theater Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Marksman Rifle Medal, the Meritorious Unit Award Medal and the WWII Victory Ribbon with 1 Service Stripe.