Benjamin M. "JUNIOR" Reed Jr.

Benjamin Milford Reed Jr. died March 9, 2012 in Redfield, South Dakota. He maintained a home in Pasadena, Texas from 1966-2011. He was born May 22, 1924 in Tuttle, Oklahoma to Lillian and Benjamin Reed. He lived on a farm near Pocasset, Oklahoma until age 4 when his mother died and his father moved to Chickasha, Oklahoma where Junior completed high school in 1942.

Ben joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943, later commissioned as a 2nd Leutenant. He completed his pilot training as a 1st Leutenant. He participated in the Berlin Air Lift in 1948. After the military's reduction in force following World War II, Ben rejoined the Air Force as an enlistee, pursuing a career that lasted over 23 years, retiring in 1966. He served a tour of duty at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Vietnam and later served again in Vietnam as a civilian. During his career, his overseas duty stations included Germany, Alaska (before statehood), Japan, Okinawa and Vietnam. As an Air Force reservist, he advanced to the rank of major. He also obtained a bachelor's degree in business administration. Ben's medals received include the WWII Victory Medal, Occupation Medal (Germany), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Viet Nam), Longevity Service Medal with 4 Oak Leave Clusters, and Good Conduct Medal with 4 Bronze Loops.

Ben was married to the former Mary Helen Ray of Chickasha, Oklahoma who preceded him in death. He is survived by his three children, Mira Ellen Reece and Patricia Ann Morrison both of Universal City, Texas and Stephen L. Reed of Mountainburg, Arkansas, a sister, Barbara A. Endahl of Paradise, California, four grandchildren, a niece and a nephew.

Ben will be interred July 2nd with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.