BENSON GARY W

CPT Gary "Hammer" W. Benson was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 12/01/2025 at the age of 78.9 (Exact date not known.) from esophageal cance
Brandon, MS
Flight Class 68-69
Date of Birth 12/30/1946
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps
Served in Vietnam with HMM-364 in 70, 1 MAW in 70-71, HMM-263 in 71
Call sign in Vietnam SWIFT 13
This information was provided by Walt Wise

More detail on this person: On 12/23/2025 5:54 PM MST Mike Tennent wrote: Monday, December 29th Visitation 12:30 to 1:30 Funeral: 1:30 - 2:30 Visitation and Funeral at Holy Trinity Anglican Church; 432 Bozeman Road, Madison, MS Interment to follow immediately at Parkway Memorial Cemetery, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS At this time George Tucker, Wayne Forbush and I will be attending. ---------- Original Message ---------- Dr. Gary W. Benson - "Hammer" WALTER WISE M on, Dec 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM To: "mikelaw1943@gmail.com" Cc: Mike Tennent Mike: Another USMC Vietnam helicopter pilot passes away. Gary was a Purple Fox in RVN. We will forward the obit, as soon as we get one. Thanks. Walt ---------- Original Message ---------- From: Mike Tennent To: CARL SPILLER , GEORGE TUCKER , GARY BAKER , ROGER PLATE , JEFF MORHARDT , HAMMER , WALT WISE , Jim Buckland , DAVE LEGAS , Pete Baron , ART BLADES , Anthony Garcia , John Staples , Duane Jensen , Wayne Forbush , "STOCKER, Bob" , FRED LEEK , Bruce Jensen , DAVE OWENS , STEVE KUX <4stevekux@gmail.com>, STEVE ERB , Dave & Ellen Schmitz , Dave Holton , JIM SMITH , Daryl Cooper , Russ Laney , Larry Thompson Date: 12/22/2025 2:37 PM MST Subject: Dr. Gary W. Benson - "Hammer" It is with a very sad heart that I inform you of Hammer's passing after a long and courageous battle with esophageal cancer. I will provide information on his service as soon as I get it. At this time I believe the service will probably be in Jackson, Mississippi. SAEPE EXPERTUS - SEMPER FIDELIS - FRATRES AETERNI Mike

Burial information: Parkway Memorial Cemetery

This information was last updated 12/24/2025

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Date posted on this site: 02/07/2026