Andrew Benjock

Andrew Elmer Benjock was four days from his 97th birthday when he passed away from natural causes at home in Tustin, California. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania on December 24, 1921. He entered the Marine Corp at age 18 and became a highly decorated career veteran having served 31 years, retiring with the rank Master Gunnery Sergeant. Andrew was an Air Crewman with the Marines his entire career. He flew as a machine gunner on the air craft carrier based SBD Dive Bomber and the TBF Torpedo Bomber in the Pacific Theater during WWII. In 1946 he was assigned to China to disarm the Japanese; he was there for 5 years. During the Korean conflict he was a Radioman aboard the Marine R5D, a four engine Marine Transport Plane. As the Vietnam conflict raised its ugly head , Andrew transitioned to the C-130 transport plane as a Load Master. He did three tours in Vietnam until his retirement. He was stationed at the El Toro Marine Corp Air Station from 1952 until his retirement form the Marine Corp in 1973. Andrew remained in Tustin after retirement, but the east coast was beckoning. He and his wife Rachel moved to Harkers Island, North Carolina in 1982. Andrew enjoyed fishing and lazy days of retirement. They moved back to California in 1999, finally settling in Tustin again. His beloved Rachel passed away in 2004. Andy continued to remain active in his community and in Veterans affairs. He was an active member of the Garden Grove Elks where he thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his "Elks family". He also belonged to Toastmasters, the Fleet Reserve, the American Legion, and the China Marines. He loved to stay busy, always volunteering his time and energy to the organizations closest to his heart. He had a warm, gentle soul, was very charismatic and had a quick wit. He enjoyed putting a smile on peoples' faces. Andrew was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel, his daughters, Michele Benjock and Barbara Bush, and his son Bobby Hill. He is survived by his son Danny Hill, 7 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at the Garden Grove Elks on Saturday 1/19/2019.

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