Benton John Hill
PFC Benton J. Hill was an aviation radioman/gunner who served with VMSB-233 during the campaign for the Solomon Islands.
His bomber was shot down near New Georgia on 23 January 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 357751
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
26 November 1917
at Eden Prairie, MN
Parents
John & Pearl Hill
Education
Eden Prairie High School
Occupation
Triangle Transfer Company
Service Life
Entered Service
26 January 1942
at Minneapolis, MN
Home Of Record
Hopkins, MN
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. John H. Hill
Specialty
Radioman/gunner
Primary Unit
VMSB-233
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands
Individual Decorations
Air Medal, Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 23 January 1943, PFC Benton Hill was part of a strike force assembled to search out a pair of Japanese ships spotted in “The Slot” near New Georgia.
The pilot, TSgt. Ralph P. Ackerman, sighted in on the freighter Toa Maru 2 and pushed Dauntless #33 into a dive, twisting through a hail of 20mm anti-aircraft fire. Hits were observed on his aircraft, but Ackerman “rode it on down” for 7,000 feet before pulling the lever to release his bomb. The plane lurched immediately after the drop; onlookers surmised that Ackerman had been hit and killed, for the bomber plummeted into the sea.
The squadron’s War Diary commented that “The courage displayed by Ackerman and his gunner is of a type that demands commendation.” Hope was held out for their safe return until 24 January 1944, when both Marines were declared dead.
Burial Information or Disposition
Not recovered following plane crash at sea.
