Benko Dedication

Members of the Davis-Monthan Honor Guard posts the colors at the rededication ceremony of the Arthur J. Benko Fitness Center here, May 22. Tech. Sgt. Arthur J. Benko was a World War II aerial gunner credited with shooting down 16 Japanese fighters. He gave his life attacking Japanese shipping near Hong Kong, China in 1943. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Noah R. Johnson)

Benko Dedication

Col. Kent Laughbaum, 355th Fighter Wing Commander, speaks at the rededication ceremony of the Arthur J. Benko Fitness Center here, May 22. Technical Sgt. Arthur J. Benko was a World War II aerial gunner credited with shooting down 16 Japanese fighters. He gave his life attacking Japanese shipping near Hong Kong, China in 1943. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Noah R. Johnson)

Benko Dedication

(From left to right) Maj. Jeremy Reid, 355th Services Squadron Commander, Col. Charles Hunter, Mission Support Group Commander, Charlie Dodd, Chief Master Sgt. James Parkhill, 355th Fighter Wing Command Chief, Senior Master Sgt. Angela Kamerer, 355th Medical Operations Squadron, Tech. Sgt. David Rogers, 55th Rescue Squadron, and Col. Kent Laughbaum, 355th Fighter Wing Commander, cut the ribbon at the rededication ceremony of the Arthur J. Benko Fitness Center, here, May 22. Technical Sgt. Arthur J. Benko was a World War II aerial gunner credited with shooting down 16 Japanese fighters, however, he gave his life attacking Japanese shipping near Hong Kong, China in 1943. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Noah R. Johnson)

D-M dedicates fitness center to war-time hero

Published May 27, 2008
By Senior Airman Melissa Copeland
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- D-M held a dedication ceremony to name the base fitness center May 22 to honor World War II hero and fellow Arizonan, Tech. Sgt. Arthur J. Benko.

Airmen and members of the Desert Lightning team attended the ceremony to show support and to pay respects to the war-time hero.

Sergeant Benko, from Bisbee, Ariz. was a turret gunner aboard a B-24 bomber aircraft during World War II and was responsible for seven Japanese kills during one mission, four over Ichang, five in Hankow, single-handedly shot down four Zeros. The most prolific accomplishment during his career was being solely responsible for 16 confirmed kills in one day.

Sadly, the aircraft Sergeant Benko was aboard during a mission endured severe engine trouble. He was ordered to exit the aircraft and parachute to safety. Sergeant Benko was lost, never to be heard from again.

"Sergeant Arthur Benko's skill as a gunner was unmatched during his time in combat," said Colonel Kent Laughbaum, 355th Fighter Wing commander.

"If he had survived World War II it is conceivable that Sergeant Benko would have been the most deadly turret gunner of all time," he continued.

In addition to a four-man A-10 flyover by the 358th Fighter Squadron, the event featured an HH-60 flyover and landing at the base track with Tech. Sgt. David Rogers, aerial gunner from the 55th Electronic Group who impersonated Sergeant Benko, wearing the 1950s style Air Forces military uniform.

Sergeant Rogers shared historical tidbits about the military career and heroic actions of Sergeant Benko, which preceded a tribute to Sergeant Benko by Colonel Laughbaum.

Airmen attending the event participated in a moment of silence for Sergeant Benko.

"Technical Sergeant Arthur J. Benko, the high school football captain and champion marksman from Bisbee, Arizona, was a true son of liberty," said Colonel Laughbaum.