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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Janette E. Coleman

Col. Caesar J. Benigno has a history as a member of the Aerospace Community spanning nearly fifty years. He entered the military during WWII as an aviation cadet in 1943. He trained with the Royal Air Force flying 6 combat missions, and then served in the 8th AF, 452nd Bomb Group flying an additional 20 combat missions in the B-17. After WWII, he joined the Air National Guard, but was called to active duty again for both the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. Col. Benigno retired from the Air Force Reserves in 1983, and was the first reservist to receive the Legion of Merit. Concurrent with his military career, he was employed by many of the nation's aerospace companies as an aerospace engineer. The companies included Martin-Marietta, Lockheed, Bell Laboratories, Rand and finally the Boeing Company. Col. Benigno has worked on all aspects of the aerospace spectrum - satellites, missiles and aircraft. His programs include the P-6M, Titan Missile, Discoverer Satellite, C-141, C-5A, B-52G/H, F-117, F-22, and B-1B. In 1991, Col. Benigno retired from civilian employment, but continues to be a part of the Aerospace Community as a guest speaker at both civilian and military functions.