Major Ben G. Irons

1918 - 2010

Major Ben G. Irons
USAF retired
1/11/1918- 12/27/2010

Ben was married to his beloved wife Mary Ellen Irons of Santa Cruz, Calif., for fifty years. His sons are Ben (Yvette) Irons of Chico, Calif., Dr. Ted (Martha) Irons of Auburn, Calif., and John Irons of Truckee, Calif. His grandchildren are Lillan & Camille Irons of Chico, and Tommy, Scott, & Tori Irons of Auburn. His nephews are Dr. Tom (Carol) Irons of Greenville, N.C., Ben (Susan) Irons of Greenville, N.C., Dr. Fred (Susan) Irons of Chapel Hill, N.C., and their families.
He was predeceased by his brother, Dr. Fred and sister- in-law, Dr. Malene Irons of Greenville, N.C., sister Evelyn and brother-in-law, Wallace Lynn of Occoquan, Va., and sister Sarah and brother-in-law Billy Williams of San Francisco, Calif.
Ben was born in Pickaway, West Virginia, and was raised in Virginia and Florida. His grandfathers both fought during the American Civil War for the Army of Northern Virginia. Ben enlisted in the US Army in 1938, and then transferred to the Army Air Corps where he trained as a bombardier. His B-17 was shot down over Germany in July 1943, and he spent nearly two years as a Prisoner of War, first in Luft Stalag III, then Stalag VIIA.The most difficult part of his POW experience occurred during the forced evacuation from Sagan, Germany, ahead of the advancing Russian Army, and subsequent "March" to Moosburg, Germany, during the brutal winter of 1945. He received a Purple Heart for injuries when he was shot down. He was a "mustang" rising from private to major by the time he retired in 1958. He continued to fly during his career in the USAF and spent the final years in the Strategic Air Command, as a navigator on B-47s. He met his wife Mary Ellen while stationed at March Air Force Base. They married in 1960 and had three sons by 1964! Ben graduated Summa Cum Laude from East Carolina University in 1962. His second career was with the Social Security Administration from 1962 until 1986. He worked the final twenty years in Santa Cruz, Calif. Ben was always a fan of the SF Giants, he rarely missed a game. He was delighted with their World Series victory this year! He traveled widely, both in the military and with Mary Ellen, including trips to Europe, the Balkans, Antarctica, South America, the Galapagos Islands, Canada, and Australia. Ben and Mary Ellen also traveled across the United States many times and visited most of the fifty states, they enjoyed seeing family and friends around the country. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Santa Cruz, and Soquel for fifty years, and was a Santa Cruz Elk and member of SIRS.
We will all miss "Big Ben" and his sense of humor. He was hardworking, honest, and a Southern gentleman until the end. Most importantly, he loved and was loved by his wife and family. Ben G. Irons can be honored by donating to the American Red Cross, whose rations helped him to survive while he was a Prisoner of War in Germany.