James Benson (RAF officer)

James Benson, DSO, DFC & Bar (17 July 1914 – 12 July 1987) was a British flying ace who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down ten aircraft and six V-1 flying bombs.

From London, Benson was training as a pilot in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve when he was called up for service in the RAF on the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939. After his training was completed in July 1940, he was posted to No. 141 Squadron and flew Boulton Paul Defiant night fighters during the latter stages of the Battle of Britain. Paired with Lewis Brandon as his radar operator, with whom he flew operationally for much of his wartime service, he claimed his first aerial victory in December 1940 and further successes followed, resulting in an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). In February 1943, he and Brandon were posted to No. 157 Squadron, another night fighter unit. Flying de Havilland Mosquito heavy fighters, he destroyed several more German aircraft, as well as V-1 flying bombs when his squadron was involved in the RAF's campaign against these. Benson went on to be awarded a Bar to his DFC and the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his successes. Leaving the RAF after the end of the war, he subsequently worked for Esso Petroleum. He died in 1987, aged 72.