Bio Image 
Personal Details
- Last Name: BENKER
- First Name Middle Initial: PATRICK DENNIS
- Nick Name: Pat
- Street: PO BOX 1027
- Country &State:
- City:
- State: PINECREST, CA
- Postal Code: 95364-0027
- Phone: (209) 965 3830
- E-Mail: benkerp@yosemite.cc.ca.us
- Spouse: Zelma Kathryn Epperson *deceased
- Age when entered service:
- Age first entered:
- War or Conflict: WWII
- Theater of operations: ETO
- Year:
- Branch of Service/s: Army Air Corp
- Years Served:
- Date of Discharge / Retirement (circle):
- Highest Rank: new_value
- Military MOS (Job Descriptions): B-17,Engineer,Right Waist Gunner
- What military medals received: Purple Heart, Air Medal(with 3OLC)Unit Citation, EAME Theater Medal, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Pres. Unit Citation
Military Bio:
I am in the process of collecting info. for Dad's bio.
like many Ex-POW's Dad was one of the silent, who never
talked about the dreadful experience.However,I will do
the best I can to honor his memory and those who helped
him survive the experience.I continue to search for anyone
who assisted Dad as he was in a body cast and later the
leg would not heal,during the walk from,(StalagIV)I know there are Ex-POW's I would
like to thank for my father.Patricia
My Message to Future Generations: Until I can find Dad's note. God Bless Our American Ex-POW's each one of you who gave so much for the Freedoms we enjoy today.May we your children be there for you now, what ever your needs may be,as you have been there for eachother all these years. Crew Members: (Front Row from left to right) Shannon , Lucian G., Radio Gunner - Palmer, Raymond T., Tail Gunner - Coleman, Lester, K, Ball Turret Gunner - Hamm, Morton W. , Right Waist Gunner BACK ROW (from left to right) Hawkins, Charles, W, Radio Operator - Schock, George W. , Co Pilot - MacPhail, Phillip R., Pilot - Garrett, James P. , Bombardier - Benker, Patrick D. , 1st Aerial Engineer, Gunner - Kranick, Martin e., Navigator 8th Airforce 384th BG 576 BS
Post Military Occupation
- Age when captured: 28
- Date of Captured: 4/9/44
- Place captured: Keil,Germany
- Camp/s held: Schleswig Laz 4/9/44,Wismar Laz 7/21/44,Dulag Luft,Frankfort 10/7/44,Obururseu,Westler,Kefheide,Stalag Luft IV2/7/45 LuftI,Barth,Germany;Liberated byRussians,5/1/45
- Date Released: 5/1/45
- Prisoner-of-war status: Liberated
- Date of DEATH if deceased:
- AGE at death:
- Died In Combat:
- Died from complications of combat wounds:
- Describe below Survivors Include:
