View source for BENJAMIN GHETZLER, LT, USN

{{KeyDates|name_class=Benjamin Ghetzler '31|DoB=September 19, 1907|DoD=October 31, 1941|Age=34}}

{{LuckyBag|LBLink=https://archive.org/details/luckybag1931unse|class=1931
|picture=1931 Ghetzler LB.jpg
|LBName=Benjamin Ghetzler
|LBNickname="Bennie" 
|LBHometown=San Antonio, Texas
|LBText=In the first place Bennie was tired of toting a rifle. "This R. 0. T. C. business of raising dust over all the plains in Southern Texas was all right," soliloquized the future midshipman, "but a life on the bounding blue for mine. " Thereupon the carpet bag was packed, and a short time later there arrived at the gates of the Naval Academy this sunburned Texan. The high school military training stood him in good stead not only in his ability to show others the whys and wherefores of a rifle but also in his methods of keeping his room in order at all times, despite the invasions of his classmates.
</p><p>
Bennie's main joy in this life is arguing. He'll argue on or for anything that is capable of being debated, with anyone from his Dago prof to his long suffering roommate. This hobby does nothing more than bring out the real character of this son of Texas, who would rather read than go to a hop. He displayed enough savviness to get by at all times and to show others that anything he tackled was going to be done correctly.
|LBECAs=''Class Bowling 4, 3, 2, 1; Plebe Soccer; Class Handball 3, 2; Class Soccer 3; 1 P. O.''}}

== Loss ==
[[File:1931 Ghetzler 1.jpg|right|thumb|350px|link=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56290005/benjamin-ghetzler#view-photo=42564638]]
Benjamin was lost when [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Reuben_James_(DD-245) USS Reuben James (DD 245)] was sunk by a torpedo attack from German submarine U-552 near Iceland on October 31, 1941.

He had likely not been aboard <span class='smallcaps'>Reuben James</span> for very long; the April 1, 1941 Navy Directory lists him as aboard USS Goff (DD 247).

== Family ==
From researcher Kathy Franz:
<blockquote>
In 1902 Ben's parents, Emanuel/Mendel and Peppa, and older brother Marselle immigrated from Romania to New York City. Benjamin was born in New York City as were his brother Fred and sisters Mary, Anne, and Silvia. Florence, Beatrice, and the twins Caroline and Arthur were born in Illinois. In 1910 his father was a lithographer in a factory. In 1920 he had his own photographer studio, and his brother Marselle was an engraver in San Antonio. Benjamin attended a military school in San Antonio.

Benjamin had just married Katherine "Katie" Lindell on August 30, 1941 in Maine. She was a resident of Annapolis, Maryland, and they had just seen each other two weeks earlier.
</blockquote>

He has [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35650221/benjamin-ghetzler a memory marker] in Texas — its inscription reads in part "beloved son and brother."

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{{ND|date=October 1939|rank=Lieutenant|command=15th Naval District}}
{{ND|date=June 1940|rank=Lieutenant|command=USS Goff|billet=executive officer}}
{{ND|date=November 1940|rank=Lieutenant|command=USS Goff|billet=executive officer}}
{{ND|date=April 1941|rank=Lieutenant|command=USS Goff|billet=executive officer}}

{{NewClassNavigator|Name=Benjamin|HonoreesInClass=52|ClassYear=1931|PreviousPersonLink=THOMAS ASHWORTH, JR., LT, USN|PreviousPersonName=Thomas Ashworth, Jr. '31|NextPersonLink=CLIFFORD T. JANZ, LT, USN|NextPersonName=Clifford Janz '31}}

[[Category:1931|Ghetzler]]
[[Category:USN|Ghetzler]]
[[Category:KIA|Ghetzler]]
[[Category:WWII|Ghetzler]]
[[Category:Battle of the Atlantic|Ghetzler]]
[[Category:Ship|Ghetzler]]
[[Category:USS Reuben James (DD 245)|Ghetzler]]
{{KIA|panel=BENJAMIN GHETZLER}}