Wilbur-by-the-Sea, FL. His children, Benjamin E. Kraljev, Sr., Kimberly Rose, and Thomas Rose were at his side. Ben will be lovingly remembered by his grandsons, James, Benjamin, John, and Matthew. Ben is predeceased first by Marion-Ellise Davis, his beloved wife of 56 years, and then Diane Podlesnik, his partner of 10 years. Ben is survived by three great grandchildren, his nephews Rich and Greg, and his niece Cyndi.
Ben was born in Sacramento, CA, and moved to FL in 1981 following an illustrious military career that spanned 32 years. Ben served at many organizational levels from detachment through Headquarters USAF. Among his many mission contributions, Benjamin served as Chief of Operations of the Joint Contingency Task Group that conducted the raid on the Son Tay POW camp in North Vietnam during the war. He later served as Vice-Wing Commander 443rd MAW, Altus, OK and then as Wing Commander, 317th Tactical Airlift Wing, Fayetteville, NC, from 1977 to 1979. Ben loved to fly. He accumulated 6,500 flying hours, including 345 combat hours in Vietnam. Ben was a graduate of the University of Nebraska, Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, and the British Royal College of Defense Studies. He retired in 1981 as Deputy Inspector General, Headquarters MAC. He held the rank of Colonel.
Ben will be deeply missed by all who knew him, including various military and hunting communities. In particular, the Yellow Bluff Hunting Club in Georgia, the Daedalians, and the Son Tay Raiders association.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home (4815 Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange, FL 32129) on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. There will be a viewing from 5 - 5:45 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 6 pm with light refreshments to follow. A private burial with full military honors will be held the following day at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Air Force Aid Society at www.afas.org.
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