Lt. George Beninga Funeral Friday - "George Ralph Beninga, son of Ralph Beninga and his wife Anna, was born in Marietta, October 2, 1919. He received the Sacrament of Baptism September 13, 1920. He attended the local school and was graduated from the Marietta High School, class of 1937.
George joined the National Guard and was called into the active Armed Services February 1941. In the spring of 1942 he transferred to the Air Corps taking his Aviation Cadet training at Santa Ana, California and Roswell, New Mexico. November 21, 1942 he received his commission of 2nd Lieutenant and the Silver Wings of a Bombardier at Roswell, New Mexico.
On January 1, 1943 he was united in marriage to Ruth Cynthia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dixon of Marietta. They resided at Columbia, South Carolina where Lt. Beninga was attached to the Columbia Air Base.
Last Thursday, February 4th, his father, Mr. Ralph Beninga received a wire from Col. John L. Nedwed, Commanding Officer of the 309th Bombardiers, Columbia Air Base which read: "It becomes my solemn duty to notify you of the sudden death of your son, Lt. George Beninga as a result of an airplane accident near Lynchburg, Virginia. You son died instantly Tuesday night, February 2 at 9:40 Eastern War Time."
Services were held in the family residence of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Beninga and in the auditorium of the Marietta School, conducted by Chaplain Perry and Rev. G. L. White of the Congregational Church, Marietta. Chaplain Perry had married George and Ruth and was the official escort during the sad journey from Columbia to Marietta.
Burial was made in the Marietta Cemetery with full Military honors.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Ruth, his mother and father, six brothers and two sisters namely: Henry of Marietta, Harm in the U.S. Armed Forces, Harry and John of Marietta, and Clarence, Vernon, Henrietta and Hilda at home. Also many other relatives and a host of friends.
The sympathy of the whole community goes out to the bereaved families. Thanks are due to the School Board for their courtesy in placing the new school auditorium at the disposal of the mourners and their friends for the funeral services."
Card of Thanks "We wish to express our sincere thanks to the relatives, neighbors and friends for the kindness and sympathy shown us during our recent bereavement, the death of our dear husband, son, and brother. Especially Rev. Waite and Chaplain Perry for their comforting words, the Choir for their beautiful singing, the Home Guard, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Leland Dahle for playing Taps, those who furnished cars, who gave money to the missions in his honor, the beautiful floral bouquets, and the many cards of sympathy."
- Mrs. George Beninga
- Ralph Beninga Family
- Harry Dixon Family
<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> George's brother Harm was shot down over Germany in May of 1943.
Harm Beninga Missing in Action Word was received Monday by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Beninga that their son, Harm, a tail gunner, operating with a squadron from an English base, was missing in action, from a mission over Germany, on May 24th.
A brother, George, was killed in a plane crash in Virginia last February. While Harm is reported missing, a high percentage of these men show up later. ((Harm died a hero's death over Germany as his plane went down due to enemy fire. He sacrificed his own life by helping fellow crew member escape the falling aircraft. His body was recovered in 1951 in Germany. Harm's body is now interred in Ardenner American Cemetery and Memorial in Neuville-Em-Condray, Belgium.))
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