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	101k	Edward Clyde Benfold was born on Staten Island, New York, on January 15, 1931 and at the age of 6, came with his family to the Borough of Haddon Heights. He was the only child of Edward S. Benfold, a British citizen who was born in Calcutta, India, and Glenys MacKensie Adams Benfold from Bucksport, Maine. His father was a Merchant Marine Officer during World War II and, while serving on the Merchant Ship USS CASTILLA (a troop transport ship in the Atlantic), drowned when the ship was torpedoed and sunk by an enemy submarine while carrying troops to the European front. Following his death, Edward's father was the recipient of the U. S. Merchant Mariners' Medal. Known by his friends as Teddy, Edward was a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Haddon Heights and a student at Audubon High School. A member of the AHS Class of 1949, he was a color guardsman in the school band, a member of the senior choir and a member of both the Junior play (Our Town, in the role of Howie Newsome) and the senior play (My Sister Eileen, in the role of a drunk). In addition to his participation in school activities, Edward served in the Camden Wing of the Civil Air Patrol for two years. Edward enlisted in the service in May of 1949. After training at the Great Lakes Naval Station, he served at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, at Camp Le Jeune in North Carolina and at Camp Pendleton in California. Edward met his wife Dorothy (nee Groff) on a blind date in January, 1951. A courtship began that led to their marriage in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Camden, New Jersey on June 9, 1951. In the fall of 1951, Edward was transferred to Camp Pendleton and participated in the A-Bomb Test on the Yucca Flat testing grounds in the Nevada desert on May 1, 1952. The couple had a son, Edward Joseph, born on May 15, 1952, while Edward was at Camp Pendleton. Edward saw his wife and then two week old son while on a short leave and, upon his return to Camp Pendleton, was notified that he had been ordered to Korea. In mid-July, 1952, Edward left the West Coast for Korea. Following his arrival, he wrote to his wife, explaining that he had been assigned as a medic to the 1st Marine Division at Bunker Hill. On September 5, 1952, just three weeks after his arrival in Korea, Edward was killed in action while treating two Marines. Enemy grenades were tossed into the foxhole where Benfold was tending to the wounds of the two men. He picked up the grenades, leaped from the foxhole and charged the oncoming soldiers, sacrificing his life to save those of the two wounded Marines. He was 21 years old at the time of his death.		Robert M. Cieri
	59k	A biography of Hospital Corpsman Third Class Benfold.		Robert M. Cieri
	114k	USS Benfold (DDG-65) poster courtesy of Lockheed Martin.		Bill Gonyo
	161k	Undated, location unknown.		Carol Edgemon Hipperson author of Radioman: An Eyewitness Account of Pearl Harbor & World War II in the Pacific
	97k	The Christening Coin.		Robert M. Cieri
	53k	The Christening Program for Benfold DDG-65. The event was held at Pascagoula, MS on 12 November 1994.		Robert M. Cieri
	52k	The Official Invitation to the Commissioning Ceremony, which was held at Broadway Pier in San Diego, CA on 13 March 1996.		Robert M. Cieri
	78k	The Commissioning Program.		Robert M. Cieri
	219k	USS STETHEM (DDG 63) and USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) conducting SEA TRIALS in the Gulf of Mexico circa 1995.		-
	159k	The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) fires its 5 inch gun during routine training operations off the coast of Southern California on April 16, 1997. The 5 inch/54 caliber MK 45 lightweight gun provides surface combatants with accurate naval gunfire against fast, highly maneuverable surface targets, air threats and shore targets. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Felix Garza, U.S. Navy.		-
	105k	The Arleigh Burke Class destroyer USS Benfold (DDG-65), heads in to it's homeport of San Diego, California after an extended at sea period September 30 1997.		Bill Gonyo
	145k	November 21st, 1997, on board the destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) operating in the Northern Persian Gulf. Gunner's Mate (Guns) 1st Class Joe Brown, from Arlington, Texas, mans a 25mm chain gun while on watch in the Persian Gulf. The ship is home ported in San Diego, California. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Rebecca Kearns.		Fred Weiss
	68k	November 21st, 1997 in the Northern Persian Gulf, a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), makes a pass by the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65). The ship is home ported in San Diego, California. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Rebecca Kearns Digital Film Scan.		Fred Weiss
	79k	Sydney, Australia January 1998.		Marc Piché
	71k	Sydney, Australia January 1998.		Marc Piché
	69k	Sydney, Australia January 1998.		Marc Piché
	101k	Sydney, Australia January 1998.		Marc Piché
	105k	Sydney, Australia January 1998.		Marc Piché
	65k	San Francisco October 1998.		Marc Piché
	166k	010326-N-1644C-001, March 28 2001, USS Benfold (DDG-65) gets underway on deployment in the South Pacific Ocean en route to its first port of Sydney, Australia. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Anthony C. Casullo.		Bill Gonyo
	65k	Fremantle, Australia April 17 2001.		Marc Piché
	65k	Fremantle, Australia April 20 2001.		Marc Piché
	98k	020727-N-5067K-002. Pacific Ocean, July 27 2002, Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Christopher D. Hunsberger prepares to chock and chain an SH-60B Seahawk from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) Four Seven (HSL 47) "Saberhawks" after it lands aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65). Benfold is currently participating in "Fleet Battle Experiment Juliet" in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael D. Kennedy.		Robert M. Cieri
	61k	At sea aboard USS Benfold (DDG 65) July 30 2002, sailors aboard the guided missile destroyer prepare for an underway replenishment (UNREP) while the destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) prepares to take station alongside Benfold. Both vessels are participating in Fleet Battle Experiment Juliet (FBE-J) in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael D. Kennedy.		Fred Weiss
	89k	020731-N-5067K-001. Pacific Ocean, July 30 2002, Ensign Nicole E. Antoun stands duty as the guided missile-destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) Combat Information Center (CIC) Watch Officer. Benfold is participating in Fleet Battle Experiment Juliet (FBE-J) in the Pacific. FBE-J is part of training exercises supporting Millennium Challenge 2002 (MC-02), the nation's premier joint integrating event, bringing together both live field exercises and computer simulations throughout the Department of Defense. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael D. Kennedy.		Robert M. Cieri
	175k	021205-N-6501M-022. Naval Station San Diego, Calif., December 5 2002, during a force protection exercise, Sailors run tests on a substance representing Anthrax which was thrown aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) by a simulated intruder on the pier. Force Protection training involves Sailors responding to various potential scenarios of intruder or terrorist activity on or near U.S. Navy ships or installations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Edward G. Martens.		Robert M. Cieri
	74k	USS Benfold 5"/54 MK45 gun firing in spring 2004.		Steven A. Cardali
	52k	040507-N-5362A-394, Pacific Ocean, May 7 2004, ships assigned to "The Golden Arrows" of Commander Destroyer Squadron Seven (COMDESRON-7), assemble in a formation off the coast of San Diego, Calif. Pictured are the guided missile destroyers USS Benfold (DDG 65), left, USS Milius (DDG 69), center bottom, USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), center top, and the guided missile frigate, USS Thach (FFG 43), right. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson.		Tony Cowart
	65k	040829-N-9228K-079. Pacific Ocean August 28 2004, guided missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) cuts through the water during her approach on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during an underway replenishment (UNREP). Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) are currently conducting operations in preparation for an upcoming deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Michael S. Kelly.		Bill Gonyo
	124k	041122-N-4166B-010. Pacific Ocean, November 22 2004, the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) conducts a Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) live fire test. Benfold and Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9) are currently deployed to the Western Pacific Ocean. Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9) is the first to be used in the Surge Role in support of the Chief of Naval Operations Fleet Response Plan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jordon R. Beesley.		Robert M. Cieri
	210k	041122-N-4166B-006. Pacific Ocean, November 22 2004, the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) conducts an underway replenishment (UNREP), with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) fast combat support ship USNS Rainer (T-AOE 7). Benfold and Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9) are currently deployed to the Western Pacific. Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9) is the first to be used in the Surge Role in support of the Chief of Naval Operations Fleet Response Plan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jordon R. Beesley.		Robert M. Cieri
	178k	041122-N-4166B-015. Pacific Ocean, November 22 2004, a Gunner’s Mate, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) shoots an M-60 machine gun during a live fire training exercise. Benfold and Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9) are currently deployed to the Western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jordon R. Beesley.		Robert M. Cieri
	182k	041209-N-8539M-039. Pacific Ocean, December 9 2004, the Military Sealift Command (MSC) combat stores ship USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) prepare for an early morning replenishment at sea (RAS). Benfold, part of the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is currently on a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Nicholas B. Morton.		Robert M. Cieri
	111k	041218-N-8539M-176. Pacific Ocean, December 18 2004, the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) and the Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF) destroyer JDS Kirisame (DD 104) maneuver aft of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during a joint exercise involving several U.S. Navy and Japanese ships. Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) are currently deployed to the Western Pacific Ocean on a scheduled deployment. Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9) is the first to be used in the surge role in support of the Chief of Naval Operations Fleet Response Plan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Nicholas B. Morton.		Robert M. Cieri
	108k	041219-N-4166B-049. Pacific Ocean, December 19 2004, an MH-60S Knighthawk of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Five (HC-5) "Providers", conducts a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) are currently deployed to the Western Pacific Ocean on a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jordon R. Beesley.		Robert M. Cieri
	192k	050102-N-9079D-317. Indian Ocean, January 2 2005, sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), stand-by to conduct an underway replenishment (UNREP) with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7). Benfold is assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group, currently operating in the Indian Ocean off the waters of Indonesia and Thailand in support of Operation Unified Assistance. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Ronald A. Dallatorre.		Robert M. Cieri
	143k	050102-N-9079D-004. Indian Ocean, January 2 2005, Quartermaster 1st class Mike Atchley prepares charts for a transit through the Straits of Malacca on the bridge aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Ronald A. Dallatorre.		Robert M. Cieri
	212k	050103-N-9079D-020. Indian Ocean, January 3 2005, Seaman Jaimee Lorenzo counts money while working as a clerk in the ship store aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65). Benfold, assigned to Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9), is currently conducting humanitarian operations in the wake of the Tsunami that struck South East Asia. CSG-9 is currently operating in the Indian Ocean off the waters of Indonesia and Thailand. U.S Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ronald Dallatorre.		Robert M. Cieri
	184k	050103-N-9079D-096. Indian Ocean, January 3 2005, Gas Turbine System 1st Class Robert Whynot parallels the generator to maintain proper power in the Central Control Station aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65). Benfold, assigned to Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9), is currently conducting humanitarian operations in the wake of the Tsunami that struck South East Asia. U.S Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ronald Dallatorre.		Robert M. Cieri
	144k	050103-N-9079D-209. Indian Ocean, January 3 2005, sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), hold lines during and underway replenishment with Military Sealift Command (MSC) fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7). Benfold, assigned to Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9), is currently operating in the Indian Ocean in the waters off Indonesia and Thailand. U.S Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ronald Dallatorre.		Robert M. Cieri
	121k	050103-N-9079D-256. Indian Ocean, January 3 2005, sailors keep covered as an SH-60B Seahawk of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Four Seven (HSL-47) "Saberhawks", lands aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65). U.S Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ronald Dallatorre.		Robert M. Cieri
	138k	050103-N-9079D-412. Indian Ocean, January 3 2005, sailors work to prepare an MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter from (HSL 47) for flight, as the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) takes a turn. U.S Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ronald Dallatorre.		Robert M. Cieri
	131k	050103-N-9079D-376. Indian Ocean, January 3 2005, Marines assigned to the 3rd Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) load into an MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter, assigned to the "Gunbearers" of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Eleven (HC-11), aboard USS Benfold (DDG 65) to be flown to USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7). U.S Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ronald Dallatorre.		Robert M. Cieri
	161k	050104-N-9079D-181. Indian Ocean, January 4 2005, Machinery Repairman 1st Class Scott Sullivan cuts-out a screw on a lathe machine in the Repair Shop aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Ronald A. Dallatorre.		Robert M. Cieri
	187k	050119-N-2653P-139. January 19 2005, the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) maneuvers in the Andaman Sea off the coast of the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Navy helicopters are using Benfold as a refueling station for relief flights into Sumatra, Indonesia. Benfold is assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group, currently operating in the Indian Ocean off the waters of Indonesia and Thailand in support of Operation Unified Assistance. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class James Pinsky.		Robert M. Cieri
	155k	050225-N-4166B-266. Pacific Ocean, February 25 2005, the ships of Commander Destroyer Squadron Nine (CDS-9), from foreground, the guided missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), guided missile destroyers USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS Shoup (DDG 86), the Military Sealift Command (MSC) fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) shown in formation behind USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as part of a show Naval of power during a demonstration for Lincoln’s Tiger Cruise en route to San Diego, California from a WESTPAC cruise. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jordon R. Beesley.		Robert M. Cieri
	183k	030828-N-4762H-048. Pacific Ocean, August 28 2005, the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) and her crew underway along the California coast. Benfold is assigned to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which returned from a scheduled deployment earlier this year. U.S. Navy photo by Fire Controlman 1st Class David Hunter.		Robert M. Cieri
	141k	060913-N-6652A-001. San Diego, September 13 2006, the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) departs Naval Station San Diego for a scheduled Westpac deployment as part of Expeditionary Strike Group Five (ESG-5). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daisy Abonza.		Robert M. Cieri
	223k	061127-N-8547M-034. November 27 2006, an MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) during underway replenishment with amphibious assault ship USS Saipan (LHA 2) Nov. 27, 2006. The Ships are deployed in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick W. Mullen III.		Robert M. Cieri
	143k	070304-N-4965F-018. March 4 2007, guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) maneuvers as she prepares to moor pierside Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Benfold returned from a deployment as part of Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group, which is currently conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in support of 5th Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl.		Robert M. Cieri
	64k	070515-N-3390M-001. May 15 2007, guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) is assisted by a tug as she prepares to moor pier side at Naval Station Everett for a port visit. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Douglas G. Morrison.		Robert M. Cieri
	123k	070515-N-3390M-002. May 15 2007, guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) is assisted by the large harbor tug Accomac (YTB 812) as Wenatchee (YTB 808) is en route to help moor the ship pier side at Naval Station Everett for a port visit. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Douglas G. Morrison.		Robert M. Cieri
	142k	070515-N-3390M-003. May 15 2007, Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Randal Walters assigned to guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) secures the forward mooring lines to a bollard as guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) moors pier side at Naval Station Everett for a scheduled port visit. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Douglas G. Morrison.		Robert M. Cieri
	128k	070824-N-7498L-043. U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Bradley Pate, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), receives the Bronze Star from Capt. Michael Gilday, commander of Destroyer Squadron Seven, for acts of heroism and outstanding dedication to his duties while attached to Task Force 405th Civil Affairs Battalion in San Diego, Calif., Aug. 24, 2007. The Bronze Star is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration, which is awarded to service members who have performed acts of bravery. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico.		Bill Gonyo
	142k	080504-N-9162R-018. May 4 2008, a port bow view of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), as she departs Naval Station San Diego, Calif, for a scheduled deployment as part of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Donnie W. Ryan.		Robert M. Cieri
	170k	080513-N-9604C-038. Pacific Ocean, May 13 2008, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Benfold (DDG 65) practice formation maneuvering. Halsey and Benfold are part of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group on a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Shannon K. Cassidy.		Robert Cieri
	215k	080724-N-7631T-001. Manama, Bahrain, members of the Surface Navy Association (SNA) Bahrain Chapter toured USS Benfold (DDG 65) and learned about the Navy’s ability to search, track, hand-off and intercept ballistic missiles -- a core element of the Navy’s Ballistic Missile Defense program (BMD). Benfold is currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO) which help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin Tidwell		Bill Gonyo
	41k	090326-N-0000X-001. Pacific Ocean, March 26 2009, the San Diego-based guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) fires a missile Thursday, March 26, 2009 during training exercise Stellar Daggers in the Pacific Ocean. Benfold engaged multiple targets with Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA and modified SM-2 BLK IV missiles. The overall objective of Stellar Daggers was to test the Aegis system's sea-based ability to simultaneously detect, track, engage and destroy multiple incoming air and ballistic missile threats during terminal or final phase of flight. The Benfold's Aegis Weapons System successfully detected and intercepted a cruise missile target with a SM-2 BLK IIIA, while simultaneously detecting and intercepting an incoming SRBM target with a modified SM-2 BLK IV. This is the first time the fleet has successfully tested the Aegis system's ability to intercept both an SRBM in terminal phase and a low-altitude cruise missile target at the same time. U.S. Navy photo.		Robert M. Cieri
	48k	Ship's patch.		Mike Smolinski

CDR Mark E. Ferguson III    Mar 30 1996 - Jun 20 1997 (Later VADM)
CDR Donald Michael (Mike) Abrashoff    Jun 20 1997 - Jan 21 1999
CDR Thomas Henry Copeman III    Jan 21 1999 - Aug 21 2000 (Later RADM)
CDR Adam Shawn Levitt    Aug 21 2000 - Mar 15 2002
CDR Charles Randy Hill    Mar 15 2002 - Apr 24 2003
CDR Michael Martin Gilday    Apr 24 2003 - Aug 29 2003
CDR Donald Gayle Hornbeck    Aug 29 2003 - Jun 24 2005
CDR Mark William Harris    Jun 24 2005 - Dec 21 2006
CDR William Andrew Hesser Jr.    Dec 21 2006 - May 1 2008
CDR Thomas Christopher Disy    May 1 2008 - present