Penticton war vet honoured by France

PENTICTON – A Penticton Second World War vet was recognized for his service by the French government at a ceremony of the Royal Canadian Air Force Wing in Penticton.

Retired RCAF Flight Lt. Lance "Lou" Benton received the French Medal of Honour during the ceremony on July 24. Benson was recognized by the French government for his exceptional service while serving as a tail gunner, in addition to his contribution to D-Day, June 6, 1944.

During RCAF bomber command duty, Benson served in a mission over Emden, Germany, where he was wounded after the Halifax heavy bomber he was in was struck 93 times by enemy fire.

Benson crewed for 33 missions in Europe after joining the RCAF in 1941 at age 17.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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