THE WALL OF FACES

I met Lee in 1965 when he first visited our home in San Francisco. He had gone to school with my ex-husband. He was so personable, polite, charming and well-educated. You couldn't but help really like him. Shortly thereafter, my ex-husband was accepted into the National Teacher Corps and we relocated to San Diego where ironically Lee was also stationed. We again met up with him and enjoyed many dinners and outings with him. He was a very charismatic individual and extremely loyal to his family and friends. He was engaged to marry a wonderful woman named Diane. We often visited their home in Imperial Beach for dinner. But then came the sad and distressing call that Lee had been lost on a mission. I was numb the whole day. And probably for several weeks. The memory of that day still remains live with me. I will never forget Lee.

I wore a silver bracelet with your name on it when I was 15 years old.. It said LTJG LEE BENSON 3-17-68 and I had later placed a white sticker with a blue star on it. I believe that meant MIA (missing in action). I am now 60 years old and I still have the bracelet. Today I went to this sight and was shocked and saddened after all these years to find out what happened to you. I was hoping I could locate you and forward this bracelet to you. Sadly I cannot do that, but if there is anyone from your family that would like the bracelet I would surely send it. Thank you for your service and thank you for your bravery on that night and the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

CDR Donald R. Hubbs (pilot), LTJG Lee D. Benson (co-pilot), AX2 Randall J. Nightingale (Antisubmarine Warfare Technician 2nd Class), and ADR Thomas D. Barber (crewman) comprised the crew of an Grumman S-2E aircraft assigned to Air Antisubmarine Squadron 23 aboard the USS Yorktown. As submarine action in Vietnam was virtually (if not completely) unknown, a wide variety of activities were conducted by anti-submarine units in Vietnam. Because anti-submarine warfare involves the use of magnetic detection gear or acoustic buoys in conjunction with "listening" devices, anti-submarine aircraft and their crews' training proved especially adaptable to reconnaissance and tracking missions. On March 17, 1968, Hubbs and his crew launched from the Yorktown on a night surveillance mission over the North Vietnam coast in the area of Vinh. Weather was bad with zero visibility. Approximately one hour after launch, the aircraft reported radar problems. No other transmissions were heard, and the aircraft disappeared from the ship's radar scope. All efforts to make contact were unsuccessful. However, five hours after the last contact, radio signals were heard, and North Vietnamese fishing boats were spotted in the area the next day. The last point of contact occurred about 30 miles off the shore of North Vietnam about 25 miles east southeast of the island of Hon Me. On July 20, 1968 a section of the starboard wing was found. During the period of July through September 1973 an overwater/at-sea casualty resolution operation was conducted to determine the feasibility and desirability of such water loses. These operations were terminated when it was determined to be unfeasible and nonproductive in such cases. Commander Hubbs and the rest of his crew are still carried in the status of Presumed Dead/Remains nonrecoverable. When considering a personnel loss at sea, the criteria for survival involves both the location and the cause of the loss. In the case of the S-2E, no reason for loss was ever determined. Therefore, it was either shot down or went down due to mechanical or weather difficulties. If mechanical difficulties resulted in the downing of the S-2E, in an entirely non-hostile environment, then there can be little chance of survival for the crew of the S-2E unless they managed to cross 25 miles of ocean. If enemy activity was present, however, there can be ample room for speculation that the crew might have been captured by one of the fishing boats in the area. [Taken from pownetwork.org]

Dear LTJG Lee David 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

When i was 10 years old, I began wearing a bracelet with your name on it hoping to one day have the honor of returning it to you. 40 years later, i still have that bracelet; which will be passed to on to my 2 sons to continue our honor and respect for you and to remember your sacrifice in the name of honor.