Lieutenant Colonel Mac B Benjamin
Mac Broom Benjamin was born on April 27th, 1897 in Hutchinson, Minnesota to Martha and Robert Benjamin, the youngest of five children. While he was completing high school, World War One broke out and consumed Europe, with the possibility of the United States getting involved. That became a reality on April 6th, 1917, a few days before Mac’s 20th birthday. With his brothers taking up the call to arms, he enlisted in the Army on January 21st, 1918 and was sent to Camp Jackson, North Carolina to join Truck Company #5, First Corps Artillery Park. Unlike its British counterpart which dealt with repairing weapons close to the front lines, this new unit was used entirely for the transportation and handling of artillery ammunition.
Off to War
After four months of training, the I Corps Artillery Park along with Private First Class Benjamin received their orders to France, and traveled to Camp Merritt, New Jersey for final preparations for their overseas deployment. On May 22nd, 1918, the entire unit of 1,190 men boarded the SS Great Northern and arrived in early June. Truck Company #5 spent the majority of the month receiving their allotment of vehicles before the Park moved out to their first area in the Champagne-Marne. The battle had commenced with a massive German attack on July 15th that after a few days of some advances, stalled on the 17th. By then, PFC Benjamin’s unit quickly moved to support the Aisne-Marne Offensive the following day, which was the allied counterattack meant to push back German gains in the Marne. With allied artillery being crucial for success, Truck Company #5 worked tirelessly to supply the batteries that had run low on ammunition, sometimes working for days without sleep. By August 6th, the multinational offensive had slowed at Soissons, but it had been a massive success.
Oise-Aisne
PFC Benjamin’s unit retired to the recently captured Chateau-Thierry Sector on August 7th to receive supplies and rest until their services were needed. This occurred ten days later when the I Corps Artillery Park was rushed to the Oise-Aisne to support the French and American offensive kicking off from their lines at Reims, Soissons, to Ribecourt on the Oise River. For the next few weeks, the divisions advanced through Juvigny, the Vestle River line, and towards Aisne valley. Once again, Truck Company #5 was extremely busy hauling ammunition to the artillery as they softened up the German lines to make way for the infantry. Exhausted, PFC Benjamin and the I Corps Artillery Park were pulled to the Verdun Sector by September 12th to participate in the reduction of Saint Mihiel.
Saint Mihiel to the Argonne
The offensive began the day they arrived by a three prong attack, with the I Corps from the Pont-a-Mousson to Limey front. They reached their first objective by noon, and the following day, had completely smashed the German line. Finally, PFC Benjamin could rest in the sector until they were diverted for the Meuse Argonne Offensive, meant to finish the war for good. Unfortunately, this was to be one of the bloodiest battles he would experience, and it began on September 26th with a massive preliminary artillery barrage lasting three hours. As the infantry advanced and stalled due to heavy resistance, Truck Company #5 moved back and forth from the front to supply needed ammunition for the artillery batteries, who kept volumes of fire raining down on the enemy lines. As weeks passed, determined yet costly attacks by allied infantry managed to break sections of the German lines, and by the end of October, cleared the Argonne Forest. Suddenly on November 11th, 1918, the Armistice ceased fighting and put an end to the Great War.
Returning Home
With the fighting over, the I Corps Artillery Park now moved into Germany with the occupation force, and Benjamin was promoted to Corporal. They remained here until June, when the entire unit traveled to Brest, France for the journey home. Corporal Benjamin boarded the SS Artemis on July 21st, 1919, arrived home by early August, and was discharged from the Army on the 11th. Mac returned to Minnesota and married Virginia Craft, having three children. In 1921, he enrolled in Marquette University and graduated in 1926 with a Medical Degree, beginning his long career as a doctor. After moving to Tacoma, Washington, he accepted a commission as a 1st Lieutenant in the WANG on January 2nd, 1935 and was stationed at the local Camp Murray. On September 19th, 1940, Benjamin was promoted to Captain and due to the rising tensions between America and the axis powers locked in World War Two abroad, he was federalized on January 7th, 1941.
World War Two
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th now meant the US was a country at war, and began vigorously preparing their troops for combat. Benjamin was promoted to Major a month later and conducted physical examinations on the huge influx of enlistees eager to defend their country. In late 1942-early 1943, Major Benjamin was sent to Costa Rica and Guatemala as a malariologist, tasked with studying the disease and any possible preventions. He returned to the United States in August of 1943 to be stationed at the La Garde General Hospital in New Orleans. Afterwards, he deployed to the Pacific in the same role before working at the Mitchell Convalescent Hospital in Campo, California where he resided when World War Two ended. Mac was discharged from the Army on February 11th, 1946 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In his civilian life, he returned to his wife, continued his career as a doctor, and eventually moved to Sanford Michigan in the 1950s. Mac passed away on June 10th, 1985 and is buried in Jerome Township Cemetery.
Off to War
After four months of training, the I Corps Artillery Park along with Private First Class Benjamin received their orders to France, and traveled to Camp Merritt, New Jersey for final preparations for their overseas deployment. On May 22nd, 1918, the entire unit of 1,190 men boarded the SS Great Northern and arrived in early June. Truck Company #5 spent the majority of the month receiving their allotment of vehicles before the Park moved out to their first area in the Champagne-Marne. The battle had commenced with a massive German attack on July 15th that after a few days of some advances, stalled on the 17th. By then, PFC Benjamin’s unit quickly moved to support the Aisne-Marne Offensive the following day, which was the allied counterattack meant to push back German gains in the Marne. With allied artillery being crucial for success, Truck Company #5 worked tirelessly to supply the batteries that had run low on ammunition, sometimes working for days without sleep. By August 6th, the multinational offensive had slowed at Soissons, but it had been a massive success.
Oise-Aisne
PFC Benjamin’s unit retired to the recently captured Chateau-Thierry Sector on August 7th to receive supplies and rest until their services were needed. This occurred ten days later when the I Corps Artillery Park was rushed to the Oise-Aisne to support the French and American offensive kicking off from their lines at Reims, Soissons, to Ribecourt on the Oise River. For the next few weeks, the divisions advanced through Juvigny, the Vestle River line, and towards Aisne valley. Once again, Truck Company #5 was extremely busy hauling ammunition to the artillery as they softened up the German lines to make way for the infantry. Exhausted, PFC Benjamin and the I Corps Artillery Park were pulled to the Verdun Sector by September 12th to participate in the reduction of Saint Mihiel.
Saint Mihiel to the Argonne
The offensive began the day they arrived by a three prong attack, with the I Corps from the Pont-a-Mousson to Limey front. They reached their first objective by noon, and the following day, had completely smashed the German line. Finally, PFC Benjamin could rest in the sector until they were diverted for the Meuse Argonne Offensive, meant to finish the war for good. Unfortunately, this was to be one of the bloodiest battles he would experience, and it began on September 26th with a massive preliminary artillery barrage lasting three hours. As the infantry advanced and stalled due to heavy resistance, Truck Company #5 moved back and forth from the front to supply needed ammunition for the artillery batteries, who kept volumes of fire raining down on the enemy lines. As weeks passed, determined yet costly attacks by allied infantry managed to break sections of the German lines, and by the end of October, cleared the Argonne Forest. Suddenly on November 11th, 1918, the Armistice ceased fighting and put an end to the Great War.
Returning Home
With the fighting over, the I Corps Artillery Park now moved into Germany with the occupation force, and Benjamin was promoted to Corporal. They remained here until June, when the entire unit traveled to Brest, France for the journey home. Corporal Benjamin boarded the SS Artemis on July 21st, 1919, arrived home by early August, and was discharged from the Army on the 11th. Mac returned to Minnesota and married Virginia Craft, having three children. In 1921, he enrolled in Marquette University and graduated in 1926 with a Medical Degree, beginning his long career as a doctor. After moving to Tacoma, Washington, he accepted a commission as a 1st Lieutenant in the WANG on January 2nd, 1935 and was stationed at the local Camp Murray. On September 19th, 1940, Benjamin was promoted to Captain and due to the rising tensions between America and the axis powers locked in World War Two abroad, he was federalized on January 7th, 1941.
World War Two
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th now meant the US was a country at war, and began vigorously preparing their troops for combat. Benjamin was promoted to Major a month later and conducted physical examinations on the huge influx of enlistees eager to defend their country. In late 1942-early 1943, Major Benjamin was sent to Costa Rica and Guatemala as a malariologist, tasked with studying the disease and any possible preventions. He returned to the United States in August of 1943 to be stationed at the La Garde General Hospital in New Orleans. Afterwards, he deployed to the Pacific in the same role before working at the Mitchell Convalescent Hospital in Campo, California where he resided when World War Two ended. Mac was discharged from the Army on February 11th, 1946 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In his civilian life, he returned to his wife, continued his career as a doctor, and eventually moved to Sanford Michigan in the 1950s. Mac passed away on June 10th, 1985 and is buried in Jerome Township Cemetery.