Benny Joe Bigley

Military

Assigned to 748BS, 457BG, 8AF USAAF. ETD

Awards: AM (2OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (2 x Battle Stars)

Connections

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Units served with

457th Bomb Group

• Unit Hierarchy: Group
• Air Force: Eighth Air Force
• Type Category: Bombardment

748th Bomb Squadron

• Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
• Air Force: Eighth Air Force
• Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

43-37826

• Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
• Nicknames: Wild Hare

Places

Glatton

• Site type: Airfield
• Known as: Connington

Events

Event	Location	Date	Description
Born	Arkansas City, KS	11 March 1923	Son of Ernest and Ferol Genevieve [Heath] Bigley.
Died	Renton, WA	26 May 2008	Benny J. BIGLEY March 11, 1923 ~ May 26, 2008 Ben died peacefully at home at the age of 85. He was born and raised on a farm in Arkansas City, Kansas. In WWII, Ben was a B-17 pilot in Europe. In 1944 he married the love of his life, Barbara, his wife of 63 years. Ben was an aeronautical engineer and retired from the Boeing Company after 35 years. He was an avid golfer, sailor and snow skier. He was blessed to continue these activities up until his last illness. He lived his life by strong principles and he was known to be steady, optimistic, and honest. He was willing to take on any challenge, from teaching himself to drive a Model A, sailing in the San Juan Islands, flying twice the speed of sound on the Concord jet, golfing and skiing all over the US and Europe, and hula dancing in Hawaii. Ben is survived by his wife; brother; two children; four grand children; and one great grandchild.
Buried	Tahoma National Cemetery Kent, King County, WA	2 June 2008	Tahoma National Cemetery Kent, King County, Washington
Based	Glatton		Assigned to 748BS, 457BG, 8AF USAAF.