"Iffen the wild critters, weather, or a accident don't kill ya out heah, the Injuns will. " ~ Ty FIsher
Welcome to W.R. Benton's Site!
About W.R. Benton
As a very young child, W.R. remembers sitting on his great-grandma's knee listening to her tell stories of the old west and of all the people she had known. These stories motivated him to tell his own tall tales of the wild-west and the people who settled it.
W.R. Benton grew up in the Missouri Ozark Mountains and retired from the United States military in 1997 with over twenty-six years of active duty. He has an Associates Degree in Search and Rescue, Survival Operations, a Bachelors Degree in Safety and Health, and a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology near completion.
W.R.is now a freelance writer and award-winning cartoonist . He specializes in Country (Redneck) Humor and Wilderness Survival Writing, as well as Western Fiction..
Recently he has devoted most of his time to writing the Drum Series of books, featuring Jeb, Moses, and Faye. This series is about a medically discharged Southern war veteran who takes two run-away slaves and turns to the Rocky Mountains for a new life.
The Plains Series are being worked as well and they will eventually result in a number of Mountain Men books featuring the continuing saga of Jarel Wade, Ty Fisher, and others. The time period is near 1825 and the books are action packed.
W.R.Benton currently has 8 books in print and is working on three more for release in 2007.
Military Career
After completing basic and technical training, W.R. was assigned to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 100SRW, for upgrade training. He was responsible for instruction of aircrew members flying the U-2, DC-130, and T-33 aircraft, in parachuting and survival skills as a Life Support Technician. He was soon promoted to Airmen In Charge of (the) Training Section. This unit had numerous TDY's to Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. He was promoted to E-3 (A1C) and E-4 (Sgt) while assigned at DM.
1973-Assigned to U-Tapao, RTNB, Thailand. W.R. taught the usage of survival gear, parachuting techniques, and survival procedures to B-52 aircrew members. He lived in Bang Chang, Thailand and was with the 307th BW.
1975-Assigned to Cannon AFB, NM, 27th TFW and 481st TFTS, where he was responsible for teaching F-111D aircrew members egress and ejection procedures. Sergeant Benton developed the first static F-111D egress and ejection procedural trainer in the history of the USAF. He used an ejected module to make this training device. Also, he used another module to teach water survival techniques to crew members. He was promoted to SSgt (E-5) and award his first Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) of five.
1979-Assigned to Pope AFB, NC, 317th TAW. Sergeant Benton was responsible for keeping the Wing's aircraft configured with all required survival gear as well as conducting survival training, including parachuting techniques to aircrew members. He worked closely with the local Combat Control Team and other special mission units.
1983-Due to a cutback in personnel, he was cross-trained into Industrial/Occupational Safety. During his reassignment he was promoted to TSgt (E-6)
Sergeant Benton has an associates degree in search and rescue, survival operations, a bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health and a master's degree in psychology near completion.
W.R. Benton (pen name for Gary L. Benton)
Senior Master Sergeant, USAF, Retired
Gary received 16 Military Medals and Awards, with numerous clusters.
Some of them are:
Meritorious Service Medal (5 clusters)
Air Force Commendation Medal (one cluster)
Air Force Achievement Medal (two clusters)
Presidential Unit Award
Outstanding Unite Award (Valor device)
Humanitarian Service Medal
Expeditionary Medal (two stars)
Outstanding Volunteer Medal
Gary writes for numerous magazines and publications.
