Robert E Benefiel
Military
Photo courtesy Anthony Chardella.
Archived by Char Baldridge, Historian, 359th Fighter Group Association.
Posted by Janet Fogg, 359th Fighter Group Historian.
Object Number - UPL 38478 - Credited with one aerial victory and two damaged during air combat, Capt. Robert E. Benefiel, of Walla Walla, WA, flew with the 368th Fighter...
Assigned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Completed Tour of Duty (ETD).
Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.
Connections
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Units served with
![Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394). First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 3](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377226.jpg.webp?itok=RQw6Mu-P)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: The Beachcomber
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Fairfield County, CT, USA | 11 February 1920 | |
|
Enlisted |
Hartford, CT, USA | 7 October 1942 | |
|
Based |
East Wretham | 4 August 1944 - 3 March 1945 | Assigned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. |
|
Other Promotion |
Wretham, Thetford IP24, UK | 17 February 1945 | Promoted to Captain. |
|
Other End Tour of Duty (ETD) |
3 March 1945 | Completed Tour of Duty (ETD). | |
|
Died |
Temple Hills, MD, USA | 8 August 2005 | |
| Hood River, Oregon | |||
|
Other Promotion |
Wretham, Thetford IP24, UK | Promoted to 1st Lieutenant. |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list
