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