Capt. Russell Benge - WW II Veteran
Capt. Benge is third from the left
During the war Russ piloted a B-26 bomber. Originally a very tricky plane to fly, after aerodynamic and design changes the aircraft distinguished itself as "the chief bombardment weapon on the Western Front." Russ and his crew operated in the European Theater, contributing to the success of the Allies. In 1947 the Air Corps separated from the United States Army to become its own branch of the military. Russ remained in the Air Force Reserve for twenty years, retiring in 1966 as a major.
JoAnne P. Miller