Stanley G. Benner
Encyclopedia
Stanley Graves Benner was an officer of the United States Marine Corps
during World War II
who received the Silver Star
.
. He lived in Boston, Mass., until 1940. Enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserve
on August 21, 1940, he reported for active duty at Quantico, Va.
, on November 8, that same year. After training at the Marine Corps' recruit depot at Parris Island, S.C.
, he arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
, on January 21, 1941. While there, he participated in maneuvers on the Puerto Rica
n Island of Culebra
. Transferred to the Marine Corps Base at Parris Island, S.C., on April 12, he served there—receiving a promotion to private first class
on May 26,—until shifting duty station to what would later become Camp Lejeune
at New River, N.C., on September 28,. Benner was promoted to corporal on October 11, 1941 and to Sergeant on April 1, 1942.
Ordered to the field on May 8, 1942, Sgt. Benner joined Company "A", 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, and, after traveling by rail to San Diego, Calif.
, sailed for the South Pacific
in late May. After arriving at Tutuila
, the battalion reinforced other elements of the 7th Marines
already on garrison duty in the Samoan Islands
. It remained there, serving as a reserve amphibious force, during the initial landings on Guadalcanal in early August. While on Samoa
, Sgt. Benner accepted appointment as second lieutenant on August 4,.
Heavy Japanese pressure against American forces on and around Guadalcanal
—particularly the naval action
that sank four Allied cruiser
s on the night of 8–August 9,—prompted a call for more reinforcements. Following a Japanese
infantry attack along the Tenaru River
on August 21, a sign that the enemy was trying to retake Henderson Field
, the 7th Marines sailed from Samoa on September 4, for Espiritu Santo
in the New Hebrides
. Upon arrival on the 12th, the regiment received orders to move to Guadalcanal as soon as possible. Departing the New Hebrides on the 14th, the transports spent four days at sea dodging enemy naval forces before anchoring off Kukum, Guadalcanal, on September 18,. Later that same day, the 7th Marines took up a position astride "Bloody Ridge
", guarding the perimeter's southern flank from there down to the Lunga River
.
Over the next few weeks, Lt. Benner's unit took part in the fierce fighting along the Matanikau River
, including the desperate amphibious evacuation west of Point Cruz on September 27, and the far more successful spoiling attack west of the river between 7 and October 9,. The 1st Battalion then returned to their original positions on "Bloody Ridge."
Meanwhile, in a series of hard fought air and sea battles around Guadalcanal, the Japanese managed to reinforce their position on the island. After several night convoy runs, nicknamed the "Tokyo Express
", the Japanese had assembled enough troops to attempt another assault
on the defending marines. After swinging inland through the jungle, the Japanese 4th Infantry Regiment closed the perimeter's southern flank on the night of October 24,. When the Japanese arrived, only Benner's 1st Battalion remained to face them because the 2d Battalion had been pulled out to reinforce the perimeter's western flank the day before.
The assault, coming under cover of heavy rain and darkness, surged out of the jungle just after midnight on the 25th. The Japanese, throwing grenade
s and firing rifle
s and machine gun
s, repeatedly charged the marine positions but were beaten back by American small arms, mortar
, and artillery
fire. The enemy kept the pressure on the ridge throughout the night, at one point forcing a salient into the leathernecks’ line, but were eventually driven back with heavy losses.
The Japanese resumed the attack the following evening, throwing fresh troops into the fray. Artillery, mortars, small arms, and canister-firing 37-millimeter guns cut down the repeated Japanese assaults, forcing the decimated units to withdraw. Lt. Benner led his platoon in the fierce two days of combat on “Bloody Ridge,”and directed its fire against repeated assaults of enemy forces greatly superior in number. In so doing, contributing to the “rout and virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment” he was killed in action in the early morning hours of October 26.
, posthumously.
USS Benner (DE-551)
was named for Second Lieutenant Benner, but her construction was cancelled in 1944 before it could begin.
In 1944, the destroyer
USS Benner
(DD-807), in commission
from 1945 to 1970, was named in his honor.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
who received the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
.
Biography
Benner was born on July 5, 1916 in Arlington, MassachusettsArlington, Massachusetts
Arlington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, six miles northwest of Boston. The population was 42,844 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. He lived in Boston, Mass., until 1940. Enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserve
United States Marine Corps Reserve
The Marine Forces Reserve is the reserve force of the United States Marine Corps. It is the largest command in the U.S...
on August 21, 1940, he reported for active duty at Quantico, Va.
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
, on November 8, that same year. After training at the Marine Corps' recruit depot at Parris Island, S.C.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. MCRD Parris Island is used for the training of enlisted Marines...
, he arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is located on of land and water at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba which the United States leased for use as a coaling station following the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903. The base is located on the shore of Guantánamo Bay at the southeastern end of Cuba. It is the oldest overseas...
, on January 21, 1941. While there, he participated in maneuvers on the Puerto Rica
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
n Island of Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Isla Culebra is an island-municipality of Puerto Rico originally called Isla Pasaje and Isla de San Ildefonso. It is located approximately east of the Puerto Rican mainland, west of St. Thomas and north of Vieques. Culebra is spread over 5 wards and Culebra Pueblo...
. Transferred to the Marine Corps Base at Parris Island, S.C., on April 12, he served there—receiving a promotion to private first class
Private First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
on May 26,—until shifting duty station to what would later become Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
at New River, N.C., on September 28,. Benner was promoted to corporal on October 11, 1941 and to Sergeant on April 1, 1942.
Ordered to the field on May 8, 1942, Sgt. Benner joined Company "A", 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, and, after traveling by rail to San Diego, Calif.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is a United States Marine Corps military installation in San Diego, California. It lies between San Diego Bay and Interstate 5, adjacent to San Diego International Airport and the former Naval Training Center San Diego...
, sailed for the South Pacific
South Pacific Area
The South Pacific Area was a multinational U.S.-led military command active during World War II. It was a part of the U.S. Pacific Ocean Areas under Admiral Chester Nimitz.Instructions to the senior U.S...
in late May. After arriving at Tutuila
Tutuila
Tutuila is the largest and the main island of American Samoa in the archipelago of Samoan Islands. It is the third largest island in the Samoan Islands chain of the Central Pacific located roughly northeast of Brisbane, Australia and over northeast of Fiji. It contains a large, natural harbor,...
, the battalion reinforced other elements of the 7th Marines
U.S. 7th Marine Regiment
The 7th Marine Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California...
already on garrison duty in the Samoan Islands
Samoan Islands
The Samoan Islands or Samoa Islands is an archipelago covering in the central South Pacific, forming part of Polynesia and the wider region of Oceania...
. It remained there, serving as a reserve amphibious force, during the initial landings on Guadalcanal in early August. While on Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, Sgt. Benner accepted appointment as second lieutenant on August 4,.
Heavy Japanese pressure against American forces on and around Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
—particularly the naval action
Battle of Savo Island
The Battle of Savo Island, also known as the First Battle of Savo Island and, in Japanese sources, as the , was a naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II, between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval forces...
that sank four Allied cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
s on the night of 8–August 9,—prompted a call for more reinforcements. Following a Japanese
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
infantry attack along the Tenaru River
Battle of the Tenaru
The Battle of the Tenaru, sometimes called the Battle of the Ilu River or the Battle of Alligator Creek, took place August 21, 1942, on the island of Guadalcanal, and was a land battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, between Imperial Japanese Army and Allied ground forces...
on August 21, a sign that the enemy was trying to retake Henderson Field
Henderson Field (Guadalcanal)
Henderson Field is a former military airfield on Guadacanal, Solomon Islands during World War II. Today it is Honiara International Airport.-Japanese construction:...
, the 7th Marines sailed from Samoa on September 4, for Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu....
in the New Hebrides
New Hebrides
New Hebrides was the colonial name for an island group in the South Pacific that now forms the nation of Vanuatu. The New Hebrides were colonized by both the British and French in the 18th century shortly after Captain James Cook visited the islands...
. Upon arrival on the 12th, the regiment received orders to move to Guadalcanal as soon as possible. Departing the New Hebrides on the 14th, the transports spent four days at sea dodging enemy naval forces before anchoring off Kukum, Guadalcanal, on September 18,. Later that same day, the 7th Marines took up a position astride "Bloody Ridge
Battle of Edson's Ridge
The Battle of Edson's Ridge, also known as the Battle of the Bloody Ridge, Battle of Raiders Ridge, and Battle of the Ridge, was a land battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II between Imperial Japanese Army and Allied ground forces...
", guarding the perimeter's southern flank from there down to the Lunga River
Lunga River (Solomon Islands)
The Lunga River is the name of a river on the northern coast of Guadalcanal near Lunga Point with a tributary at Savo Sound .-References:...
.
Over the next few weeks, Lt. Benner's unit took part in the fierce fighting along the Matanikau River
Matanikau River
The Matanikau River of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, is located in the northwest part of the island. During the World War II Guadalcanal campaign, several significant engagements occurred between United States and Japanese forces near the river.-References:...
, including the desperate amphibious evacuation west of Point Cruz on September 27, and the far more successful spoiling attack west of the river between 7 and October 9,. The 1st Battalion then returned to their original positions on "Bloody Ridge."
Meanwhile, in a series of hard fought air and sea battles around Guadalcanal, the Japanese managed to reinforce their position on the island. After several night convoy runs, nicknamed the "Tokyo Express
Tokyo Express
The Tokyo Express was the name given by Allied forces to the use of Imperial Japanese Navy ships at night to deliver personnel, supplies, and equipment to Japanese forces operating in and around New Guinea and the Solomon Islands during the Pacific campaign of World War II...
", the Japanese had assembled enough troops to attempt another assault
Battle for Henderson Field
The Battle for Henderson Field, also known as the Battle of Henderson Field or Battle of Lunga Point by the Japanese, took place from 23-26 October 1942 on and around Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands...
on the defending marines. After swinging inland through the jungle, the Japanese 4th Infantry Regiment closed the perimeter's southern flank on the night of October 24,. When the Japanese arrived, only Benner's 1st Battalion remained to face them because the 2d Battalion had been pulled out to reinforce the perimeter's western flank the day before.
The assault, coming under cover of heavy rain and darkness, surged out of the jungle just after midnight on the 25th. The Japanese, throwing grenade
Grenade
A grenade is a small explosive device that is projected a safe distance away by its user. Soldiers called grenadiers specialize in the use of grenades. The term hand grenade refers any grenade designed to be hand thrown. Grenade Launchers are firearms designed to fire explosive projectile grenades...
s and firing rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
s and machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
s, repeatedly charged the marine positions but were beaten back by American small arms, mortar
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
, and artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
fire. The enemy kept the pressure on the ridge throughout the night, at one point forcing a salient into the leathernecks’ line, but were eventually driven back with heavy losses.
The Japanese resumed the attack the following evening, throwing fresh troops into the fray. Artillery, mortars, small arms, and canister-firing 37-millimeter guns cut down the repeated Japanese assaults, forcing the decimated units to withdraw. Lt. Benner led his platoon in the fierce two days of combat on “Bloody Ridge,”and directed its fire against repeated assaults of enemy forces greatly superior in number. In so doing, contributing to the “rout and virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment” he was killed in action in the early morning hours of October 26.
Awards
For his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” in command of his platoon, Benner was awarded the Silver StarSilver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, posthumously.
Namesakes
The destroyer escortDestroyer escort
A destroyer escort is the classification for a smaller, lightly armed warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. It is employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also provides some protection...
USS Benner (DE-551)
USS Benner (DE-551)
USS Benner was a proposed World War II United States Navy John C. Butler-class destroyer escort that was never built.Benner was to have been built at the Boston Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts, but her construction contract was cancelled on 10 June 1944 before construction could begin.The name...
was named for Second Lieutenant Benner, but her construction was cancelled in 1944 before it could begin.
In 1944, the destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
USS Benner
USS Benner (DD-807)
USS Benner was a of the United States Navy, named for Marine Second Lieutenant Stanley G. Benner , who was killed during the Battle of Guadalcanal....
(DD-807), in commission
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
from 1945 to 1970, was named in his honor.