Frederick E. Benoit Jr.

SERGEANT FREDERICK E. BENOIT JR. was born July 8, 1923 to Frederick E. and Ruth A. Benoit. His father managed a store for a retail chain. His early years were spent in Riverside NJ, where his parents lived at 500 Delaware Avenue. His grandparents, Otto and Sophia Benoit, lived at 502 Delaware avenue. He graduated from Palmyra High School where he was a noted athlete and was the South Jersey High School Group 3 champion in the 1 mile run. His parents subsequently moved to 123 7th Avenue in Haddon Heights NJ. 

Frederick Benoit enlisted in the United States Army in July of 1942. Qualifying for flight duty, he trained as a radio operator. While stationed at Gowen Field in Idaho, he became the Golden Gloves welterweight boxing champion, known in boxing circles as "Buzzsaw" Benoit.

Sgt. Benoit was assigned to the Air Transport Command in India, charged with airlifting supplies from India to the Chinese military by flying over the Himalayan Mountains. He flew 35 missions as a radio operator and gunner, and had been awarded the Air Medal. His unit had been awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. 

Frederick Benoit was killed when his plane was involved in a mid-air collision near Heinching, China. He was 21 years old at the time of his death. he was survived by his parents, a brother, Robert, a sister, Helene, and his paternal grandparents.

After the war, Frederick Benoit was brought home. He rests at Lakeview Memorial Cemetery in Cinnaminson NJ, with other family members, where he was buried on October 28, 1947. Six of his uncles, all ex-servicemen, served as his pallbearers.

October 27, 1947

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October 29, 1947

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