THE WALL OF FACES

Lewis Cooke of Tionesta, Pennsylvania served in Vietnam with Arnold Benson. In 2014, he shared a story about Mr. Benson with the Veteran Voices of Pittsburgh Oral History Intitiative. This powerful story can be heard on our website: http://veteranvoicesofpittsburgh.com/lewis-cooke-army/

One day Arnold loaned a pair of fresh pants to Lewis, who desperately needed a change of clothes after being in the field on extended missions. Unknowingly, Arnold left his dogtags in the pants pocket. When Lewis was searching for Arnold to return his dogtags, he learned that he had been killed. Lewis was devastated by the news, and to this day he has kept Arnie's dogtag linked to his own. "It is my prize possession of the war," Lewis admits.

I remember Arnold, not so much like a memory but mostly the photograph of him and the rest of us in our first holy communion photograph. Arnold was the only black boy in our grade. One of only a few in the entire school back in the '50's. Fourth grade was pretty chaotic because we had a lay teacher, Miss Clouser. She was very young and not ready to handle nearly 70, 9-10 year olds. There were quite a few incidents where Mother Superior had to come in and rescue her from turmoil taking place in the class room. Arnold was a quite kid, as I recall. Not a trouble maker like Henry Savage and Eddie Smith who created most of the chaos for Miss Clouser. We didn't see either her or Arnold after 4th Grade. Many years later, I learned of Arnold's death in Viet Nam when we were building the Delco "Wall" in Marcus Hook and compiled the names of all the county KIA's. A couple of years later, I met Mr. Benson, Arnold's father after a Veteran's Day parade in Media. I told him about Arnold being a classmate of mine at St. Mike's and not knowing what happened to him after 4th grade. I expressed my sorrow over his loss. He showed me a photo of Arnold when he was a senior at Chester High. The quite little Arnold that I knew from grade school had grown into a strong and handsome young man. Mr. Arnold told me the reason Arnold left St. Michael's was that he was frightened of nun's, so his mother moved him to public school. I just read the Chester Times article about his death in '67 when I was still safe in college with me "2S" deferment. I wound up in Viet Nam as well but not until '71, when the war wasn't as intense as it was in '67. I wish I could talk with Arnold and tell him that those nun's weren't that bad. They were scary but after a while, you got over it. I miss you Arnold and wish you could have lived, married your girl and had kids and grand kids.

SP4 Arnold Benson was an Infantryman with Recon PLT, E CO, 2nd BN, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry DIV. While on patrol in Binh Son Plantation, 11 KM E of Long Tranh City they were ambushed by an enemy unit. Arnold died alongside 7 of his fellow soldiers during this battle. RIP Arnold, your bravery, courage and dedication to your country will never be forgotten.

Dear SP4 Arnold Benson Jr, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter