James Bennington

Colonel James Hinton Bennington, USAF (Ret.) passed away in Abilene, Texas on October 1st just shy of his 92nd birthday.

 Jim was born on October 31, 1932 in Aldino, Maryland to Henry Leland and Helen E. Aull Bennington. 

After graduation from Aberdeen High School, Aberdeen, MD. in 1949 he left the farm for the University of Maryland completing a BS degree in Agriculture Education. 

 Jim was commissioned through Air Force ROTC at the University of Maryland in 1953. He was the consummate fighter pilot in F-84 and F-100s spending 5 years in the Far East. He lost only one airplane, a crippled F-84 from which he bailed out and survived to relate the harrowing tale to his fellow pilots at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Upon return to the states, he met and married one month later Fort Worth native Valarie Williams. Together they shared the Air Force life for 30 years, moving numerous times always to a new adventure and new friends. 

 He graduated from Squadron Officers’ School in 1961 and from Air War College in 1972. He earned an MBA from Central Michigan University in 1974. With a great sense of accomplishment, he was awarded a Ski Instructor Certificate from ASTAN (American Ski Instructor’s Assn.) after a grueling 2 weeks on Vermont slopes.

 Beginning at Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, TX Jim flew the KC-135 with the Strategic Air Command 20 years. He was the first 1st Lieutenant Aircraft Commander in SAC. Flying airplanes was his passion, whether it was the single-engine Piper through the mountains in Vermont or the multi-engine jets flying around to the world’s trouble spots.

 While flying at Castle AFB, California he was appointed Military Advisor to the Board of Directors of San Joaquin Valley Youth Services and established a year-round encampment program on base for disadvantaged youth. This endures today as one of the most successful youth programs established in the Department of Defense and was commended by then California Governor Ronald Reagan.

 Jim spent a year in Southeast Asia flying from Udorn Royal Thai AFB over 100 combat missions before returning to the states and TAC Hqtrs., Langley AFB, Va. then to SAC Hqtrs., Omaha, Nebraska and finally to Dyess AFB, Texas as Base Cmdr. in 1979 retiring in 1982. 

His was a career spanning 30 years filled with the love of country and his fellow man. Jim was the quintessential story teller much to the delight (or chagrin) of his friends. He loved talking about his beloved cats, especially Diablo and Ringo with all their antics. 

 Jim was a member of the Rotary Club in Omaha and in Abilene for over 45 years and is a Paul Harris Fellow. He is recognized at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Wall of Honor for commitment to flight of the F-100 aircraft.

 Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years, Valarie. He is also survived by niece Beth Bennington and husband, Howard Vasquez of Carlsbad, NM and nephews Kirk Bennington and spouse Paula of Sycamore, IL, Frederick Viele of Cummings, GA., Robert Viele and spouse Patricia of Havre de Grace, MD. and Jonathon Zengerle and spouse Monica of Ijamsville, MD. and brother-in-law Charles Lynn Williams and wife Carole of Burleson, TX.

 The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Enhabit/Encompass Home Healthcare and Hendrick Hospice Care. 

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Rescue The Animals, Abilene, Texas or to First Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.