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This Remembrance Profile was originally created by CMSgt Don Skinner - Deceased
Casualty Info
Home Town Bisbee
Last Address Hong Kong
Casualty Date Nov 21, 1943
Cause MIA-Finding of Death
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location China
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
Dear Sir, my father was a crew member on The Goon, along with Tech Sgt. Arthur Benko. His name was Tech Sgt. William Novak. He was a waist gunner (and radio man) on the B24. He had a deep admiration for Arthur Benko and spoke of him often. Three of the crew members jumped that day, and Benko was one of them. They thought they were over friendly territory, however they were not and the men were caught and (as my father told us) crucified by the enemy. My father was ready to jump when another crew member pulled him back in as one of the engines started working again. His boot came loose when they pulled him in and dropped from the plane. Even though we never met him, my family speaks of T/Sgt Benko as if we did, because my father talked about him so often. He was a hero to his crew members and to all of us here in Colorado.
