PFC James W. Benson
Private First Class (PFC) James William Benson of the Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery, 907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion (GFAB), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Marlbrook, Rockbridge County, Virginia, to Clyde H. and Willie C. (Drawbond) Benson on August 23, 1922. James had four brothers, Wallace C., Robert E., Theron T., and George P. Benson, and three sisters, Mary E. (Benson) Henderson, Ruth D. (Benson) DePriest, and Mabel C. (Benson) Coffey.
His brother Robert also served in the U.S. Army as a private (unit unknown), while his brother Wallace served as a corporal with Charlie Company, 1897th Engineers Battalion.
James signed up for the draft at Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia, on July 27, 1942, then enlisted in the U.S. Army at Charlottesville, Virginia, on December 23, 1942.
James volunteered for paratroop duty after hearing they needed big, strong men capable of hauling heavy packs. Growing up on a farm, he believed his physical strength made him a perfect fit for the paratroopers. However, instead of joining a paratrooper unit, James was assigned to the 907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion.
On September 19, 1944, the gliders of the 907th Airborne Division took off from England en route to the Netherlands. Due to heavy fog and bad weather, only 24 men of a 550-man battalion made it safely to the Drop Zone at Son. All the planes towing their twelve 105mm howitzers turned back for England. The other gliders were scattered over the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
The Germans caught PVT Benson, and he became a POW on September 19. He ended up in Stalag 2A, Neubrandenburg, Mecklenburg, and was reported to have been shot while attempting to escape on November 17, 1944.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
PFC James Benson died at the age of 22. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal. At the moment, his initial burial place is unknown, but his final resting place is at the White Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery in Stuarts Draft, Augusta County, Virginia. May he rest in peace.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, James.
Lest we forget. 🇺🇸
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