Ben Stanley Bitel

Specialist Four
A CO, 2ND BN, 18TH INF RGT, 1 INF DIV
Army of the United States
02 May 1947 - 29 April 1968
Flushing, New York
Panel 52E Line 046

1 INF DIV

18TH INF RGT
Combat Infantry

Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Ben Stanley Bitel

15 Sep 2002

I hardly knew Ben, but he became for me every young man of my generation (Me: Nam 65-66 Navy) who went to war and never returned. He was greatly loved by all who knew him, and still is, especially by his mom and dad. He has gone to his rest, too soon called away. Let us never forget him or his brothers-in-arms.

From a family friend.

E-Mail may be forwarded via the
Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

16 Apr 2004

I never knew you, Cousin Ben,
but that doesn't stop me from missing you.
I have met your father and mother and few times, they are a
testimony to what a fine man you must have been.
You, your sacrifice, and the sacrifice of countless others
will never be forgotten by me. Rest in Peace, cousin.

If any brother in arms knew Ben please feel free to email me
I would like to find out more about him.

From a cousin,
Ben Balfour
bbalfour68@aol.com

06 Jun 2005

Ben: The Utopians knew you well and truly were your best friends. I visit your memory on the Wall regularly, but don't realize you're gone. I think of you often, and it's all good. The Hamptons, The Straw Hat, Sam's, these memories will never die.

Denis

From a friend,
Capt. Denis Faherty USN
fahertyd@ndu.edu

07 Jun 2005

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you and may peace follow you all the days of your life.

From a friend,
Brian P Faherty
bfaherty@amre.com

07 Jun 2005

Benny, Brian gave me a picture, I think it was taken around October 1970, of Elias, Kevin, me and Mike. You were in the middle, but you weren't really there, we just left a space for you. I have that picture on my deck. How would our lives be different if you came back with me, Mike and Root? I think about you all the time. Your friend, Al.

From a friend,
Al Normandeau
bubbalooie17@yahoo.com

10 Aug 2005

Ben will never be forgotten.

I wore your KIA bracelet every day along with another friend from Whitestone who gave the ultimate sacrifice. My name is Bill Friaglia. I lived on 23rd Avenue a block away from you.

My brother Rick and I both were in Vietnam. I knew you but we didn't hang out together - from what I have known you were a great guy. You are always in my prayers.

Rest in peace, my hero friend.

From a friend,
Bill Friaglia
novafish@optonline.net

13 Jul 2006

Ben, I work with a fellow soldier of yours, a Mr. Bill Papania. He speaks fondly of you and from what I have heard him say you were a great soldier, brave and true. He was with you on that day in April and he too was wounded. He was only in-country for about a month when the ambush happened. He did not know many people at the time but said you and he were close. At the time of the incident he tells me you were the team leader and to this day he wonders why you took point when you didn't have to. Rest in Peace and may God Bless your family.

From a friend of a friend,
Jim Sizemore
jts65@zoomtown.com

07 Sep 2007

Ben Bitel was a good friend of mine while I served with him in Vietnam. He had a great sense of humor and we laughed a lot during the rough times. Because I was transferred to Delta Co. in February 68, I lost track of my A Co. brothers. I have thought of Ben often, and hoped he was well and enjoying life back in the US. When I finally came in contact with my 1st Platoon friends in 2007, I was thrilled to hear from them and see some of them after 40 years of no contact. Then I learned of Ben's death, and it was one of the saddest days of my life. Apparently, he was killed five days after I had left VN. I still think of him and honor his memory. I want his family to know that he remains in my thoughts and prayers. He is not forgotten.

Peter Johnson
1st Plt, Co A, 2nd/18th Inf
Big Red One
maryjohnson51@comcast.net



The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a family friend.
E-Mail may be forwarded via the
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 15 Sep 2002
Last updated 05/09/2008