Benefiel, Orville Eugene

Individual Personnel Data
Name Benefiel, Orville Eugene, "Gene"   ‡
⇗
Rank Sergeant / Staff Sergeant
Serial Number 35893468   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #144 dated 22 July 1944, effective 22 July 1944.
Duty Tail Gunner
MOS611 - Aerial Gunner
Last Duty Date 16 August 1944
Results Killed In Action
Final Resting Place or Memorial: Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 17 June 1918
  • Promoted to Staff Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #163 dated 14 August 1944.
  • Died of anoxia sustained during combat mission on 16 August 1944. KIA report in squadron history (microfilm A0641-00235) and crew Tactical Interrogation Form (S-2 files).
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
1st Lt. Bean, Donald Wesley, "Beano"⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Peterson, Harlan Dale , "Pete"⇗Co-pilotPOW
2nd Lt. Jones, Albert Eugene⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Frazier, William Edward, Jr, "DOC"⇗BombardierCT
S/SGT. Albro, Paul Willard⇗Radio Operator / GunnerWIA
S/SGT. Nastick, Henry Pete⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Casper, Delmar Rulon⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Benefiel, Orville Eugene, "Gene"Tail GunnerKIA
SGT. Gordon, Omar Leslie, Jr⇗Flexible GunnerCT
SGT. Steinberg, William Herman⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 7 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
168⇗ 31 July 1944 Target: Aero Engine Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Tail Gunner 44‑6105⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
170⇗ 3 August 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury, Flers, Fiefs, France 		Tail Gunner 43‑37843⇗ Combat Mission Credit
I Group.
Sortie Report⇗
171⇗ 4 August 1944 Target: Rocket Research & Development Complex
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Peenemünde, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑39888⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Group Hot Camera Ship.
Sortie Report⇗
173⇗ 5 August 1944 Target: Luftwaffe Controlling Station
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Langenhagen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑37843⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy, lead group.
Sortie Report⇗
179⇗ 13 August 1944 Target: Tactical: Road Network
Type: Transportation
Location: Beaumont-le-Roger (area), France 		Tail Gunner 43‑37843⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group.
Sortie Report⇗
180⇗ 14 August 1944 Target: Echterdingen Airdrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Stuttgart, Germany 		Tail Gunner 43‑37843⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group.
Sortie Report⇗
181⇗ 16 August 1944 Target: Delitzsch Air Field and Air Equipment Depot
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Delitzsch, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑38208⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, lead group. Landed away at Thorpe Abbotts, AAF Station 139, on return due to battle damage.
Sortie Report⇗

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