Glen Beneda

1924 - 2010

Glen Edward Beneda
Glen Edward Beneda was born in McCook, Nebraska on January 6, 1924 and he went home to be with the Lord on October 23, 2010. Glen and Elinor Egle were married on March 17,1946.  For many, many years Glen always planned a surprise celebration, telling Elinor their anniversary was a date he would never forget. They welcomed twin sons Edward and Henry, expressing daily "what a blessing God gave us". Glen delighted in grandsons Brian, Joshua, Matthew and Mark, and he was further blessed with great grandchildren Zachary, Ian, Kailey, Daniel, Courtney, Shalom and Judah, Daughter-in-laws, Janet and Pamela and granddaughters, Alona, Jennifer and Stephanie. Our family was his greatest pride.
Glen's parents, Edward and Frances preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister Luanne and brother Robert (Karen) and many nephews and nieces who mourn his passing.
Glen had a 25 year career with the LA County Fire Department and was forced to retire when he suffered a heart attack on duty. The most illustrious part of his life was serving his country as a fighter pilot with the Flying Tigers in the 14th Air Force. He joined the service on his 18th birthday, which was one month after Pearl Harbor. He became a cadet in May 1942 and graduated and received his wings on February 1943, at Luke Field, AZ. He was sent to China one month later. On May 6th, 1944, he was shot down by a Japanese zero on his 81st mission led by Col. David "Tex" Hill. He was very fortunate to parachute into a rice paddy (learning 60 years later that his plane landed in a nearby lake). The farmers working in the field helped him get away from the Japanese infested area, risking their own lives in doing so. They took him to the new 4th (Chinese Communist) Army. They attended his wounds and hid him among the troops. He was protected for 2 months while they traveled approximately 500 miles (carrying him at times and providing him with a horse at others) to get him back to his squadron. Gen. Chenault (Commander, 14th Air Force) had written Glen's parents that he had not lost a pilot that far into enemy territory and doubted his survival.
The Chinese people have been very kind to Glen and his family, inviting us to China four times the past ten years. His rescuer, General LI Xiannian, became the President of China from 1983  to 1988. His daughter, Madame LI Xiaolin invited Glen and his family to China on October 10, 2010 for the opening of a presidential library and museum in honor of her father. She had much of Glen's memorabilia on display and he was very honored. We were privileged to meet some of the farmers from Hubei province once again who saved his life. They are proudly excavating his P-51 Fighter Plane (the farmers had sunk it by tying rocks to it in order to hide it from the enemy) and they plan to build a museum to house it. They are very proud to have saved an American pilot.
Glen is not only a hero and patriot to the Chinese; HE IS A HERO TO HIS FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
A memorial service will held in his honor on Friday, October 29, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Church of the Nazarene, 500 East North Avenue in Lompoc, with Pastor Duane Armstrong officiating.  Burial will be held in Nebraska at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Firefighters for Christ, 29 Rancho Circle, Lake Forest, CA 92630.
Arrangements are in the care of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. www.starbucklind.com