The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Benjamin Hardin King (ASN: 9574A/0-666955), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron and First Air Commando Group, from 11 May 1961 to 24 April 1962. In these important assignments, Colonel King’s exceptional leadership, imagination and drive were instrumental in establishing doctrine authorizing texts and welding a nucleus of experienced personnel into an effective and unique Air Force organization for counter-insurgency operations. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel King reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Legion of Merit
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant Colonel [then Major]Action Date:
November 2, 1950
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 212 (February 28, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel [then Major] Benjamin Hardin King (ASN: 9574A/0-666955), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over enemy held territory as leader of a flight of four F-80 type aircraft in an attack on enemy positions near Pusan, Korea, on 2 November 1952. Colonel King detected enemy forces preparing to operate liaison type aircraft off a short grass field. Despite heavy ground fire Colonel King led his flight in numerous rocket and strafing passes destroying four liaison type aircraft, twelve vehicles and twenty enemy troops. Colonel King personally was credited with the destruction of two of the liaison aircraft, five vehicles and five of the enemy troops. The leadership, aggressiveness and ability displayed by Colonel King on this occasion greatly aided the United Nations’ war effort and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
339th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
347th Fighter GroupDivision:
13th Air ForceAction Date:
July 7 – October 24, 1943
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 188 (February 3, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Benjamin Hardin King (ASN: 0-666955), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, THIRTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations from 7 July to 24 October 1943, in ten fighter sorties on combat operational missions. All of these flights were of a hazardous nature during which there was traversed an area where enemy antiaircraft fire was effective, or where enemy airplanes or exposure to enemy fire were habitually expected and in numerous instances encountered. These flights make some twenty of like nature in which he has participated, and in addition, he has shot down and destroyed three enemy airplanes in aerial combat. Previous recognition that he has received makes his record one for emulation; his accomplishments being a credit to himself and the Army Air Force.
-
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
January 13, 1969 – January 31 1971
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-946 (November 25, 1970)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Benjamin Hardin King (ASN: 0-666955), United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, culminating as Director of Aerospace Safety in the Office of the Deputy Inspector General for Inspection and Safety at Norton AFB from 13 January 1969 to 31 January 1971. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General King culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
339th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
347th Fighter GroupDivision:
13th Air ForceAction Date:
May 26 – September 13, 1944
Headquarters, 1st Bomb Division, General Orders No. 405 (October 8, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Benjamin Hardin King (ASN: 0-666955), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot P-38 and P-51 fighter airplanes of the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, THIRTEENTH Air Force, on a number of combat fighter missions over Germany and German occupied countries from 26 May 1944 to 13 September 1944. 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 Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
368th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
359th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
September 11, 1944
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 531 (December 10, 1944)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) Benjamin Hardin King (ASN: 0-666955), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action over Eisleben, Germany, while flying a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 368th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, on 11 September 1944. Major King was escorting heavy bombers to their target when more than fifty (50) enemy fighters made a determined interception attack. Observing approximately fifteen (15) fighters attacking the rear echelon of bombers, Major King, supported only by his wingman, went to their assistance. Ignoring the enemy’s advantage in strength, he successfully destroyed two planes. He then chased a FW-190 down to tree top altitude, expended the last of his ammunition as the aircraft hit the ground and exploded. Now flying alone and without ammunition, he got on the tail of another enemy plane and gallantly made an unsuccessful attempt to drive him into the ground. The outstanding courage and superior combat skill displayed by Major King during this action were an inspiration to his fellow pilots.
-
Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Benjamin Hardin King (ASN: 0-666955), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant Colonel [then Major]Action Date:
October 26, 1950
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel [then Major] Benjamin Hardin King (ASN: 9574A/0-666955), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over enemy held territory as leader of a unit of four F-80 type aircraft in an attack on enemy ground forces near Kosong-hadong, Korea, on 26 October 1950. Colonel King was leading a reconnaissance flight in advance of United Nations ground forces when he detected a regiment of enemy troops moving towards the front lines. Colonel King led his flight in numerous rocket and strafing attacks in such a manner that the enemy had no chance to take cover until all aircraft ammunition and rockets had been fired and an estimated four hundred and fifty enemy troops had been killed. Colonel King was personally credited with killing one-hundred and fifty enemy troops and wounding one hundred more. This attack halted the enemy’s plans for an offensive in that section of the Korean front and forced the enemy regiment to withdraw without making contact with United Nations ground forces. the leadership, aggressiveness, and superior use of fighter armament displayed by Colonel King on this occasion are exemplary of the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.