During World War II, Walter Benz became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 8 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. Transferring to the new U.S. Air Force, he commanded the 8th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in the Korean War, and subsequently retired in 1970 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.
Sponsored by:
Walter
Gottlieb
Benz
, Jr.
December 27, 1919
–
March 21, 2010
Born:
St. Louis
,
Missouri
Home:
St. Louis
,
Missouri
Buried:
San Antonio
,
Texas
Cemetery:
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Legion of Merit
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
342d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
348th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Walter Gottlieb Benz, Jr. (ASN: 0-659228), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
8th Fighter-Bomber GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
Korean War
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 147 (March 21, 1953)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Walter Gottlieb Benz, Jr. (AFSN: 8677A/ASN: 0-659228), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter-Bomber and as Commanding Officer of the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in Korea in 1953. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Benz, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
342d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
348th Fighter GroupDivision:
Far East Air ForcesAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 357 (March 9, 1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Walter Gottlieb Benz, Jr. (ASN: 0-659228), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
342d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
348th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Walter Gottlieb Benz, Jr. (ASN: 0-659228), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
342d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
348th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Walter Gottlieb Benz, Jr. (ASN: 0-659228), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Walter Gottlieb Benz, Jr. (ASN: 0-659228), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Benz and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.