First Lieutenant. Graduate of the United States Military Academy (Class of 1942). Killed in action in the European Theatre while serving with the 524 Bomb Squadron.
Sources: World War II Memorial Registry and Nationwide Gravesite Locator.
Parents: Enrique Manuel Benitez Rexach and Blossom Compton
Reburial at West Point, August 27, 1948.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'
On 10 April 1953, the former BOQ at Ramey Air Force Base (now closed) in NW Puerto Rico was dedicated to Lt. Henry C. Benitez and renamed Benitez Hall.
Contributed by Find a Graver Garred Giles
'''''''''''''''
Benny chose the Army Air Corps and immediately following graduation in 1942, as one of the youngest members of our class, he reported for flight training at Corsicana, Texas. Before his departure for the European Theater, Benny qualified as a glider pilot and pilot. He attended B-17 training and upon his arrival in England on 7 August 1944, he was assigned to the 524th Bombardment Squadron.
Although not scheduled to participate in a combat mission, Benny volunteered to fly as co-pilot in order to gain combat experience prior to assuming command of his own aircraft and crew, which had already been assigned to him. While participating in his first combat mission Benny met his untimely death over Gorron, France, on 13 August 1944. Benny's grave is located at West Point
On 10 April 1953 the Bachelor Officer Quarters at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico was dedicated and named Benitez Hall in honor of First Lieutenant Henry C. Benitez. His parents, Colonel and Mrs. E.M. Benitez, attended. The program for this ceremony contains the following account:
"While crossing the German lines near Falaise, Fiance, at an altitude of 20,000 feet the plane in which Lieutenant Benitez was flying sustained direct hits by German 88mm anti-aircraft fire. The pilot was wounded, one engine set afire, the controls damaged and the instruments almost completely destroyed.
"Lieutenant Benitez immediately assumed control of the airplane and with the coolness and skill worthy of a veteran pilot, maintained level flight as well as his position in the formation until a serious fire broke out in the fuel tanks. He then left the formation and attempted to return to friendly territory.
"When it became apparent that the aircraft could no longer be kept in flight the order was given to abandon the ship. Lieutenant Benitez was last seen leaving the pilot's compartment with his parachute. Shortly after, the plane exploded. The wounded pilot was blown clear and parachuted to safety, afterward being captured by the Germans who claimed they had seen eight parachutes, one burning at great height. There had been nine crew members aboard
"For his heroic action that day Lieutenant Benitez was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross posthumously."
Source: Alumni Memorial, West Point Association of Graduate, Henry C Benitez, Cullum No. 12826-1942, killed in action August 13, 1944.
Sources: World War II Memorial Registry and Nationwide Gravesite Locator.
Parents: Enrique Manuel Benitez Rexach and Blossom Compton
Reburial at West Point, August 27, 1948.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'
On 10 April 1953, the former BOQ at Ramey Air Force Base (now closed) in NW Puerto Rico was dedicated to Lt. Henry C. Benitez and renamed Benitez Hall.
Contributed by Find a Graver Garred Giles
'''''''''''''''
Benny chose the Army Air Corps and immediately following graduation in 1942, as one of the youngest members of our class, he reported for flight training at Corsicana, Texas. Before his departure for the European Theater, Benny qualified as a glider pilot and pilot. He attended B-17 training and upon his arrival in England on 7 August 1944, he was assigned to the 524th Bombardment Squadron.
Although not scheduled to participate in a combat mission, Benny volunteered to fly as co-pilot in order to gain combat experience prior to assuming command of his own aircraft and crew, which had already been assigned to him. While participating in his first combat mission Benny met his untimely death over Gorron, France, on 13 August 1944. Benny's grave is located at West Point
On 10 April 1953 the Bachelor Officer Quarters at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico was dedicated and named Benitez Hall in honor of First Lieutenant Henry C. Benitez. His parents, Colonel and Mrs. E.M. Benitez, attended. The program for this ceremony contains the following account:
"While crossing the German lines near Falaise, Fiance, at an altitude of 20,000 feet the plane in which Lieutenant Benitez was flying sustained direct hits by German 88mm anti-aircraft fire. The pilot was wounded, one engine set afire, the controls damaged and the instruments almost completely destroyed.
"Lieutenant Benitez immediately assumed control of the airplane and with the coolness and skill worthy of a veteran pilot, maintained level flight as well as his position in the formation until a serious fire broke out in the fuel tanks. He then left the formation and attempted to return to friendly territory.
"When it became apparent that the aircraft could no longer be kept in flight the order was given to abandon the ship. Lieutenant Benitez was last seen leaving the pilot's compartment with his parachute. Shortly after, the plane exploded. The wounded pilot was blown clear and parachuted to safety, afterward being captured by the Germans who claimed they had seen eight parachutes, one burning at great height. There had been nine crew members aboard
"For his heroic action that day Lieutenant Benitez was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross posthumously."
Source: Alumni Memorial, West Point Association of Graduate, Henry C Benitez, Cullum No. 12826-1942, killed in action August 13, 1944.
First Lieutenant. Graduate of the United States Military Academy (Class of 1942). Killed in action in the European Theatre while serving with the 524 Bomb Squadron.
Sources: World War II Memorial Registry and Nationwide Gravesite Locator.
Parents: Enrique Manuel Benitez Rexach and Blossom Compton
Reburial at West Point, August 27, 1948.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'
On 10 April 1953, the former BOQ at Ramey Air Force Base (now closed) in NW Puerto Rico was dedicated to Lt. Henry C. Benitez and renamed Benitez Hall.
Contributed by Find a Graver Garred Giles
'''''''''''''''
Benny chose the Army Air Corps and immediately following graduation in 1942, as one of the youngest members of our class, he reported for flight training at Corsicana, Texas. Before his departure for the European Theater, Benny qualified as a glider pilot and pilot. He attended B-17 training and upon his arrival in England on 7 August 1944, he was assigned to the 524th Bombardment Squadron.
Although not scheduled to participate in a combat mission, Benny volunteered to fly as co-pilot in order to gain combat experience prior to assuming command of his own aircraft and crew, which had already been assigned to him. While participating in his first combat mission Benny met his untimely death over Gorron, France, on 13 August 1944. Benny's grave is located at West Point
On 10 April 1953 the Bachelor Officer Quarters at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico was dedicated and named Benitez Hall in honor of First Lieutenant Henry C. Benitez. His parents, Colonel and Mrs. E.M. Benitez, attended. The program for this ceremony contains the following account:
"While crossing the German lines near Falaise, Fiance, at an altitude of 20,000 feet the plane in which Lieutenant Benitez was flying sustained direct hits by German 88mm anti-aircraft fire. The pilot was wounded, one engine set afire, the controls damaged and the instruments almost completely destroyed.
"Lieutenant Benitez immediately assumed control of the airplane and with the coolness and skill worthy of a veteran pilot, maintained level flight as well as his position in the formation until a serious fire broke out in the fuel tanks. He then left the formation and attempted to return to friendly territory.
"When it became apparent that the aircraft could no longer be kept in flight the order was given to abandon the ship. Lieutenant Benitez was last seen leaving the pilot's compartment with his parachute. Shortly after, the plane exploded. The wounded pilot was blown clear and parachuted to safety, afterward being captured by the Germans who claimed they had seen eight parachutes, one burning at great height. There had been nine crew members aboard
"For his heroic action that day Lieutenant Benitez was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross posthumously."
Source: Alumni Memorial, West Point Association of Graduate, Henry C Benitez, Cullum No. 12826-1942, killed in action August 13, 1944.
Sources: World War II Memorial Registry and Nationwide Gravesite Locator.
Parents: Enrique Manuel Benitez Rexach and Blossom Compton
Reburial at West Point, August 27, 1948.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'
On 10 April 1953, the former BOQ at Ramey Air Force Base (now closed) in NW Puerto Rico was dedicated to Lt. Henry C. Benitez and renamed Benitez Hall.
Contributed by Find a Graver Garred Giles
'''''''''''''''
Benny chose the Army Air Corps and immediately following graduation in 1942, as one of the youngest members of our class, he reported for flight training at Corsicana, Texas. Before his departure for the European Theater, Benny qualified as a glider pilot and pilot. He attended B-17 training and upon his arrival in England on 7 August 1944, he was assigned to the 524th Bombardment Squadron.
Although not scheduled to participate in a combat mission, Benny volunteered to fly as co-pilot in order to gain combat experience prior to assuming command of his own aircraft and crew, which had already been assigned to him. While participating in his first combat mission Benny met his untimely death over Gorron, France, on 13 August 1944. Benny's grave is located at West Point
On 10 April 1953 the Bachelor Officer Quarters at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico was dedicated and named Benitez Hall in honor of First Lieutenant Henry C. Benitez. His parents, Colonel and Mrs. E.M. Benitez, attended. The program for this ceremony contains the following account:
"While crossing the German lines near Falaise, Fiance, at an altitude of 20,000 feet the plane in which Lieutenant Benitez was flying sustained direct hits by German 88mm anti-aircraft fire. The pilot was wounded, one engine set afire, the controls damaged and the instruments almost completely destroyed.
"Lieutenant Benitez immediately assumed control of the airplane and with the coolness and skill worthy of a veteran pilot, maintained level flight as well as his position in the formation until a serious fire broke out in the fuel tanks. He then left the formation and attempted to return to friendly territory.
"When it became apparent that the aircraft could no longer be kept in flight the order was given to abandon the ship. Lieutenant Benitez was last seen leaving the pilot's compartment with his parachute. Shortly after, the plane exploded. The wounded pilot was blown clear and parachuted to safety, afterward being captured by the Germans who claimed they had seen eight parachutes, one burning at great height. There had been nine crew members aboard
"For his heroic action that day Lieutenant Benitez was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross posthumously."
Source: Alumni Memorial, West Point Association of Graduate, Henry C Benitez, Cullum No. 12826-1942, killed in action August 13, 1944.
Inscription
FIRST LIEUTENANT
524 AAF BOMB SQ
CLASS OF 1942 U.S.M.A.
KILLED IN ACTION
NEAR FALAISE, FRANCE
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