MAJOR GENERAL JAY G. BENTON
Air National Guard Special Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief Strategic Air Command – Maine
Maj. Gen. Jay G. Benton was the Air National Guard Special Assistant to the Commander-In-Chief Strategic Air Command.
Maj. Gen. Jay G. Benton received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine at Orono in 1950. He enlisted in the Army Air Force as an aviation cadet in April 1943, and went on to serve in the European Theater during World War II as a fighter pilot with the 12th and 9th Air Forces. His combat experience included 17 missions in the P-47 aircraft.
General Benton joined the Maine Air National Guard in October 1947 as a pilot in the 132nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron. During the Korean Conflict, the general was recalled to active duty and assigned to the fighter interceptor squadrons with the Air Defense Command. Upon his return from serving on active duty, General Benton served as the commander, 101st Fighter Group, and as the commander of the 101st Fighter Interceptor Wing. When the 101st Air Refueling Wing was Federally Recognized on April 1, 1976, he became its first commander. Prior to assuming his duties as Air National Guard Special Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief Strategic Air Command, the general served as commander, 101st Air Refueling Wing, Maine Air National Guard.
EDUCATION
1950 Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono
1944 Primary, Basic, and Advanced AFFS
1944 P-47 Trans, Strother Field, Winfield, Kan.
1948 F-80 Trans, Williams Air Force Base, Mesa, Ariz.
1951 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Chanute AFB, Rantoul, Ill.
1967 Aerospace Defense Command Life Support Training School, Tyndall AFB, Panama City, Fla.
1970 National Security Management Course
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 1943 – June 1944, Student, Aviation Cadet
2. June 1944 – October 1952, Fighter Pilot
3. November 1952 – November 1960, Squadron Commander
4. December 1960 – September 1972, Group Commander, 101st Fighter Group, Dow Air Force Base Bangor MEANG, Maine
5. October 1972 – October 1973, Group Commander, 101st Fighter Interceptor Group, Bangor ANGB, Maine
6. October 1973 – August 1975, Director of Operations, 101st Fighter Interceptor Wing, Bangor ANGB, Maine
7. August 1975 – March 1979, Wing Commander, 101st Fighter Interceptor Wing, Bangor ANGB, Maine
8. March 1979 – December 1982, ANG Assistant to Commander-in-Chief Strategic Air Command, State Headquarters MEANG at Camp Keyes, Augusta, Maine
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 5,600
Aircraft flown: F-80, F-89, F-94, F-101, F-102, P-40, P-47, P-51, KC-135, T-33
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
United States Air Force Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with eight oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 27, 1944
First Lieutenant Nov. 29, 1945
Captain July 14, 1948
Major Oct. 13, 1953
Lieutenant Colonel July 1, 1960
Colonel July 28, 1964
Brigadier General Feb. 4, 1977
Major General Aug. 3, 1979