Neville Benson was born on July 16, 1913, in Kentucky. He was the son of John Enoch Benson and Malinda Jane Curtis Benson. He served as the Assistant Engineer aboard the B-24D Liberator (serial 42-40105) “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” On November 11, 1943, the aircraft, piloted by 1st Lt. McCollum, took part in a 32-plane mission targeting a ball-bearing factory in Annecy, France. The raid was executed by the 344th Bomb Squadron “Pyramiders” of the 98th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, operating from Enfidaville Airfield in Tunisia.

On the return flight, the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure that caused it to fall out of formation, making it vulnerable to enemy fighters. It was subsequently attacked and shot down by seven fighters from Jagdgruppe (JG) 77. The bomber sustained heavy damage, resulting in multiple fatalities. Some crew members were able to parachute to safety. The aircraft crashed on Monte Rucustun (Località Rucustun) near Andonno, Italy. Four crewmen were killed in action; one was captured after being wounded; and five evaded for about three weeks with the help of Aldo Quaranta’s Partisan Brigades before returning to duty via Switzerland. Neville Benson was killed in the crash.

Source of information: Missing Aircraft Report {MACR} 1197, www.findagrave.com