Kenneth W. Benner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kenneth Wachter Benner
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Benner as Colonel, USMC
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| Born | May 6, 1904 Piqua, Ohio |
| Died | September 10, 1975 (aged 71) Columbus, North Carolina |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1926–1956 |
| Rank |  Brigadier general |
| Service number | 0–4068 |
| Commands held | 1st Provisional Antiaircraft Artillery Group 3rd Defense Battalion |
| Battles/wars | Nicaraguan Campaign World War II |
| Awards | Bronze Star Medal Navy Commendation Medal Purple Heart |
Kenneth Wachter Benner (May 6, 1904 – September 10, 1975) was a brave officer in the United States Marine Corps. He became a Brigadier General, which is a very high rank. Benner went to the United States Naval Academy and became an expert in anti-aircraft artillery. He played an important role in World War II, helping defend Pearl Harbor and fighting in major battles like the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Battle of Okinawa.
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Becoming a Marine Officer
Kenneth W. Benner was born on May 6, 1904, in Piqua, Ohio. After finishing Piqua High School in 1921, he worked as a reporter for a year. Then, he was accepted into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
While at the Academy, Benner enjoyed playing in the school orchestra. Many of his classmates also became important generals later in their careers.
Benner graduated on June 3, 1926, with a science degree. He was then made a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He went to the Basic School in Philadelphia for officer training. After finishing his training, he joined the 1st Brigade of Marines in Haiti.
Early Missions and Training
In Haiti, Benner helped patrol against bandits until September 1929. He then returned to the United States and was stationed at the Marine Corps Base San Diego. By June 1930, Benner was sent to Hawaii. There, he worked at the Marine Barracks in Pearl Harbor Navy Yard.
He was promoted to First Lieutenant on September 1, 1931. Soon after, he went with the 2nd Brigade of Marines to Nicaragua.
In March 1933, Benner came back to the U.S. and served at the Marine Barracks in Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. In July 1935, he attended the Army Coast Artillery School in Fort Monroe, Virginia. He completed his course a year later and was promoted to Captain on June 30, 1936. After this, he became an instructor for anti-aircraft artillery at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico until April 1940.
Preparing for War
Benner was then sent back to Hawaii and joined the Marine Barracks at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard. He became part of a new program for Marine defense battalions. These special Marine units were set up to defend important naval bases in the Pacific. These bases included Midway Atoll, Wake Island, Johnston Atoll, and Palmyra Atoll.
In July 1940, Benner led a small group of Marines to Midway Atoll. His job was to explore and plan the anti-aircraft defenses for the island. He was promoted to Major on September 1, 1940.
World War II Service
Benner then served on Wake Island, doing similar defense duties, until November 1941. He became the commanding officer of the 3-inch Antiaircraft Group and the Headquarters and Service Battery of the 3rd Defense Battalion.
Defense of Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Benner was at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack. He bravely commanded his group during the defense of the base.
Fighting on Guadalcanal
Benner then took command of a group of 90mm Anti Aircraft guns. In August 1942, his unit went to Guadalcanal. Their mission was to protect Henderson Field, an airfield captured by Marines a few days earlier.
On August 29, 1942, Benner was wounded by enemy fire. He was sent to New Caledonia for treatment. He also got Malaria and had to stay in the hospital for several months. For his wounds on Guadalcanal, he received the Purple Heart medal. He was promoted to the temporary rank of Lieutenant Colonel on August 7, 1942. On May 15, 1943, he took command of the 3rd Defense Battalion. His battalion was stationed on Guadalcanal, which had become an important Army-Navy base.
Planning for Victory
In August 1943, Lieutenant Colonel Benner was sent to Hawaii. He became a member of the Joint Staff for the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester Nimitz. He worked in the Planning section of the Logistics Division until December 1944.
Admiral Nimitz awarded him the Navy Commendation Medal. This was for his excellent work in planning how to set up advanced bases in the Central Pacific, which were captured from the Japanese. He also led the team that made sure these base development plans were carried out. He helped coordinate the efforts of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps to operate and maintain these important advance bases.
Battle of Okinawa
Benner was then promoted to Colonel. He became the Commanding Officer of the 1st Provisional Antiaircraft Artillery Group on Kauai, Hawaii. This group was made up of several anti-aircraft artillery battalions.
Benner led his group during the Battle of Okinawa. As the Senior Anti-Aircraft Artillery officer, he was in charge of coordinating his radar systems with other air warning squadrons. This was to ensure the best possible defense against enemy air attacks. By the end of April 1945, his group was mainly responsible for defending the areas around Yomitan Airfield and Kadena Air Base. Benner received the Bronze Star Medal for his service on Okinawa.
After the War
After World War II, Benner was sent to Washington, D.C.. He worked in the Personnel Division at Headquarters Marine Corps. For several months in 1950, he served as the Assistant Director of Personnel. Later, he moved to Coronado, California, where he joined the Amphibious Training Command, Pacific Fleet.
He then commanded the Marine Barracks at Brooklyn Navy Yard until 1955. After that, he became the Commanding Officer of the Service Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Benner stayed in this role until June 30, 1956. He then retired from active service. Because he had been specially recognized for his bravery in combat, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General upon retirement.
After leaving the Marine Corps, Benner settled in Columbus, North Carolina. He passed away there on September 10, 1975, at the age of 71. He was buried at Columbus Presbyterian Cemetery with his wife, Evelyn Ennett Benner. They had two sons and a daughter.
Awards and Recognition
Brigadier General Benner received several important awards for his service:
- Bronze Star Medal
- Navy Commendation Medal
- Purple Heart
- Navy Presidential Unit Citation
- Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal
- American Defense Service Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
