THE WALL OF FACES

DEAR LIEUTENANT BENSON,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A BASIC INFANTRY OFFICER. SEMPER FI. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY. IT IS 2017, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

A.D. Benson, before his service with the Marines, was a great long-distance runner both in high school (Sidney in southwest Iowa) and Wayne State (in Nebraska). I believe he held the record for the high school mile run in the Corner Conference for years. He and his Sidney High buddy Steve Strong were great pals of mine, and I was the sports editor of the newspaper in the nearby town of Shenandoah. After A.D.'s death, Steve and I asked the officials of the Corner Conference schools to name the mile run (now the 1600 meter run) the "A.D. Benson Memorial Mile," and I believe it's still called that. A traveling trophy goes to the winner each spring, and all the winners' names are engraved on it. Semper Fi, A.D. You'll always be not only a friend of mine, but a hero of mine, too.

Dear 2LT Albert Du Ward Benson, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

Semper Fi, Lt.

AD, when you sold me your red '68 VW at the end of TBS and I headed off to flight school, I was cautiously optimistic that we would see each other again. Sadly, It wasn't meant to be... You should know, however, that you were always in that car with me in spirit. You should know that we shared some fun and sometimes wild times, especially when we took the 'bug' down to Mexico on my way out to MCAS El Toro. Later, Your spirit was with me and Cathy on our wedding day as we drove away from church in your old Volkswagen. I'm looking at the reception photo right now. We're all in the VW, happy and smiling. Benny, I believe that I will eventually see you again. Others, including 1st platoon's Dave Blakely, will be there too. What a great day that will be with lots of story telling and lots of laughs. Until then, rest in peace Marine.

Semper Fi, Bill ...369