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With a heavy heart,

Wittpilot

Wittpilot

Warbird Guru
It is with deep sympathy that I post we have lost a great veteran, and friend. Although I only had the pleasure of meeting him a few times, Dewayne "Ben" Bennett was pretty much unlike any other person I'd ever met.

He was a pilot in the, 8<SUP>th</SUP> Air Force, 384<SUP>th</SUP> Bomb Group, 545<SUP>th</SUP> Squadron, flying a total of 31 missions, all in B-17's. He was a farm boy, simply put. A farm boy scooped up from the seat of a tractor, and slapped into the left seat of a Flying Fortress.

Over the last several decades he was a staple in the 390th BG Museum in Tucson AZ. Everyone, and I do mean EVERYone knew Ben.

He had a painting done of one of his missions by aviation author Heinz Krebs. (shown below) His story is told in his own words in his short book of stories. It is available through our gift shop,
http://www.libertyfoundation.org/shop-book4.html

Read about him here: http://squawkin-chicken.384thbombgroup.com/

Ben will be missed...... '

I am a better person for having known him; the world is a lesser place because he is gone.......


And When He Gets To Heaven,
To Saint Peter He Will Tell,
One More Soldier Reporting For Duty Sir,
I've Served My Time In Hell.
 
Thanks Witt for sharing this . It really saddens me when everyday we here of the passing of a WWII vet of the " Greatest Generation". They are leaving us at an alarming rate . I also love to sit and talk to these vets and have them share their experiences . Your having met this gentleman will be a memorable experience you will never forget as you have stated .

Rich
 
:salute:

Thank you for your service to our country.......
God rest your soul....Dewayne
Rick
 
I wanted to add....

This was about 15- 17 years ago.... My dad, to the right, presented Ben w/ a painting of his plane... This was a surprise and it was a somber moment for all... This was taken inside the front door of the 390th Museum in Tucson AZ if any of you have ever been there....
 
R.I.P. Ben. You will not be forgotten. And thank you for your service in keeping us free.
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Thanks Witt for sharing this tribute to and remembrance of Ben.
 
Sorry to hear of another B-17 Pilot passing on ... My Uncle was one too - still alive today - he was 19 years old in 1944 as an aircraft commander - thanks for all of your sacrifice and service Ben ...

Mike :engel016:
 
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