Ben H. Messer was born on February 8, 1917 in Knox, Kentucky. He enlisted in the Army on April 2, 1940 and served in the US Army as a Private First Class during World War II. Ben was Killed in Action September 28, 1944 at the age of 27 in Italy and is now buried in the Grays Knob Cemetery, Grays Knob, Harlan County, Kentucky, USA. A member of the 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment, his unit was cited for outstanding performance of duty in action during the period 27 September to 3 October 1944 at Mt. Battaglia, Italy against German forces. For seven days, amidst powerful counterattacks, the men of the battalion repulsed each attack with fighting ability and teamwork, therefore, their objective was accomplished.