Charles Calvert “Benny” Benedict, Jr. was born on December 15, 1921 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. He was the son of Charles Calvert Benedict and Dorothy Potter Benedict. He was a member of the West Point Academy Class of January 1943. He was Killed in Action near Mukden, Manchuria while serving with the 468th Bombardment Group, 20th Air Force. He died on December 21, 1944 at the age of 23 and is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA in a common grave with his crew. Benedict is also memorialized at the Cold Spring Cemetery, Cold Spring, New York; as well as at the US Military Academy Post Cemetery.

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From the 20th Air Force, 58th Bombardment Wing, 468th Bombardment Group - "The General Billy Mitchell Group" Website,

Rammed at Mukden on 12/21/44. MACR 10592.

42-24715 was commanded by Capt. Charles Benedict and was rammed over Mukden on 12/21/44. Capt. Goodrich's crew flying close to 42-24715 described the ramming: "The Japanese fighter was making a head on attack on 42-24715 and hit her just inboard of #1 engine. The last thing we saw was the wing on 42-24715 folding back. One parachute was seen before the crash.

The Japanese pilot was 2nd Lt. Tahei Matsumoto, flying for the Manchurian Air Force.
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Benedict was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com