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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Marilyn L. Howard

Pilot B-26
17th Bomb Group (World War II)
432nd Bomb Squadron

Frank J. Benak Jr., 0-1683325, 1st Lt, Air Corps, 432nd Bomb Sq., 17th Bomb Group. For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a B-26 type aircraft. While on an important bombing mission against the two vulnerable points on the Florence-Arezzo section of the Directissimo rail line at Incisa in Valdarno, Italy, on 23, April, 1944, Lt. Benak flew his plane with unusual skill, keeping in perfect formation, despite continuous anti-aircraft fire prior to the bomb run. Lt. Benak enabled his bombardier to drop his bombs with perfect accuracy, destroying the structures and blocking the tracks by crater and debris. His skill and devotion to duty has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Force.

This was but one citation of many; he flew a total of 70 missions of which 64 were combat missions. He was stationed in Sardinia, Italy, Corsica, France and England. He trained at Reese AF Base (Lubbock Army Air Field), Lubbock, TX and was originally from Buchanan, Michigan.