William Pershing Benedict, Date of Birth, Date of Death

William Pershing Benedict

American pilot

Date of Birth: 20-Jul-1918

Date of Death: 31-Aug-1974

Profession: military officer, explorer

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Lt.
Colonel William Pershing Benedict (July 20, 1918 – Aug 31, 1974) was an American pilot who was born in Ruth, Nevada and raised in California.
He was a highly decorated World War II fighter pilot who served in both the RCAF and the U.S.
Army Air Corps.
18 months after joining the U.S.
Army Air Corps, at 26 years of age, Benedict achieved the rank of Major and was made Squadron Commander.
He is best known for being the first man to land an aircraft on the North Pole.