Lt. Stephen "Nick" Benson (Beta Xi '95 - Oklahoma State), a weapons system officer and fighter pilot from Virginia Beach, Va., died on October 18, 2002, when two F/A-18F Super Hornets collided over the Pacific 80 miles southwest of Monterey, Calif., during a training exercise. He was 26.
Benson, an experienced aviator who had flown among the first F-14 Tomcats over Afghanistan after 9/11, was one of four U.S. Navy officers who lost their lives in the crash. All were members of Strike Fighter Squadron 41, based at Lemoore Naval Air Station near Fresno, Calif. The U.S. Coast Guard searched for the men for several days finding wreckage, but no remains.
Benson, who was third generation military, was born on New Year's Day, 1976. He graduated from First Colonial High School in 1994 where he played football. While an active brother at Beta Xi, Benson served as vice president, pledge educator, and many other positions. Graduating from OSU in 1998 with a business degree, Benson received his commission on September 11, 1998, after completing the Naval Officer Candidate School Program in Pensacola, Fla. Beta Xi chapter president Robert Stokes remembers Benson talking about being a pilot for the Navy, "That's all he ever talked about. It was all he ever wanted to do. It was definitely his dream and his goal."
During his career, Benson amassed more than 632 flight hours, 26 combat hours and 114 arrested carrier landings. As a part of Fighter Squadron 41, he participated in operations "Southern Watch" and "Enduring Freedom." His awards included the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V," Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
"Nick was a person who lit up the room when he entered. He was special and you knew it from the very first time you met him. He lived all the values that are the very foundation of not only our fraternity, but also our lives. Nick truly occupies a special place in God's defenders of faith, love and grace, along side so many other young people, who have given their life while serving to defend our freedoms that we enjoy in our country," said longtime Beta Xi alumnus advisor Perry Thoele (Beta Xi '62) during his remarks at Benson's memorial service.
