John served as a Staff Sergeant, Infantry, U.S. Army during World War II.

He resided in Jones County, Texas prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on April 3, 1942 in Abilene, Texas. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a tool sharpener and also as Single, without dependents.

John was "Killed In Action" in France during the war.

He was awarded the "Distinguished Service Cross" and the Purple Heart.

He was originally interred in France and was later repatriated here on February 27, 1950.

Service # 38131610

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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant John L. Benton (ASN: 38131610), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 743d Tank Battalion, attached to the 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Staff Sergeant Benton landed on the coast of France with the initial assault wave under heavy enemy rifle, machine gun, mortar and artillery fire. When the platoon leader became a casualty, Staff Sergeant Benton immediately assumed command. In order to better direct operations and bring fire on enemy positions, Staff Sergeant Benton completely disregarding his own safety, dismounted from his tank and from this position proceeded to place fire upon the enemy positions. The courage, initiative and leadership exhibited by Staff Sergeant Benton reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces.

The other soldiers KIA with him include:

Pierce, Joseph J., Pvt, Pennsylvania
Riffel, William D., Corp, Minnesota
Robinson, Philip L., Pfc, New Hampshire
Rogers, James M., T/4, Tennessee

Bio & Listing by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett

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John L. Benton was born in Hill County, Texas on 10 Mar 1910, the eleventh of twelve children of James Westley Benton (20 Apr 1858 - 13 Nov 1930) and Martha "Mattie" Lee Walls Benton (3 Nov 1868 - 22 Feb 1941). John (or Johnny) had six older sisters, four older brothers, and one younger brother. Ida Bell Benton Little (4 Jul 1893 - 3 Mar 1954), Lela Mae Benton Hamilton (2 Aug 1894 - 12 Apr 1987), Katey G. Benton (3 Jan 1896 - 23 Feb 1901), Jewell May Benton Cates (31 May 1898 - 14 Nov 1961), Claudia B. Benton Dunn (2 Aug 1900 - 29 Aug 1942/Self Immolation), and Ruth Lavell Benton (23 Mar 1906 - 1 Jan 1990), Virgil James (6 Mar 1902 - 27 Jun 1974), Ford (2 Oct 1905 - 3 Jan 1982), Lonnie Egbert Benton, Sr. (9 Nov 1902 - 8 May 1988), Collie Mac Benton (9 Oct 1909 - 22 Jan 1975), and Carroll Wilson Benton (10 May 1912 - 6 Nov 1970).

John's father, James was a farmer and his mother Mattie was a homemaker raising twelve children. John was raised and educated in and around the Hill County area. He finished his elementary schooling and one year of high school and then went to work with his father on the farm

John enlisted in the US Army on 3 Apr 1942 at Abilene, Texas with the rank of Private, Service Number: 38131610 and was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington for basic training. At the completion of basic training Pvt. Benton was assigned to the, newly organized 743rd Tank Battalion which was created as a separate Tank Battalion specifically to train for Operation Overlord (known at D-Day) and to lead the allied forces in the assault on Omaha Beach, to liberate France, and to beat back the insurgency of Germany in Europe. While the training for the 743rd had begun, the official word of the creation of the 743rd Tank Battalion as a separate Light Tank Battalion was delayed. Then on 16 May 1942 the Official Word was received and the 743rd was finally an official unit.

The morning of 9 July 1944 saw the fighting in the Hedge Rows become more intense with the German Army doubling down on their defenses of the Hedge Rows and the advancing Allied Army, led by the 743rd Tank Battalion. At some point during the heavy fighting S/Sgt's Benton's tank was hit with enemy artillery fire and the entire tank crew suffered mortal wounds.

S/Sgt. Benton was interred in a common grave in a temporary American Cemetery near La Cambe-Isigny, France with:
RIFFEL, Willian D., Cpl., 37271914,
PIERCE, Joseph J., Pvt., 33699097,
ROBINSON, Phillip L., Pfc., 11079653,
ROGERS, James M., T4, 34285388.