Sergeant 1st Class Michael Benson always wore an engaging smile and looked for adventure in life.  His mother, Norma Benson, said Michael once took a 31-state tour in a Volkswagen Bug with some of his cousins and friends -- and he loved the adventure of the Army.  Michael joined shortly after graduating from high school.  Norma says he traveled a lot in the Army.  Michael lived in North Carolina, New York, Italy and Hawaii and served in the first Gulf War. 

Michael was deployed to Iraq in March as part of a special police transition team.  His served with a unit comprised of Army Reserve and active duty soldiers with the mission of training reserve component soldiers and units.  With nearly two decades of service under his belt, Benson had the option to not go to Iraq.

“He was due to get out, but he didn’t take that option,” said Norma.  “He wanted to go with his guys. He was a trainer and he had been training them for quite a long time, and when it was their turn to go he chose to go.”

Michael died August 10, 2005, at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland of injuries sustained August 2nd when an improvised explosive device struck his convoy in Baghdad.

• Sgt. 1st Class Michael Benson was dedicated to his country, his wife, his duty and his mission, family and friends were told Friday at his funeral.... An honor guard of elderly American Legion members stood watch. A handful of Vietnam veterans in faded green fatigues attended the service and dozens of active duty and National Guard soldiers in their dress uniforms attended as well.
  
  During his two decades in the Army, Benson mastered the intricacies of infantry weapons, the life of a paratrooper and he served for years as an Army recruiter. He earned a host of decorations, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
  
  "This is a man of uncommon courage," said Gov. James Douglas. "Michael chose a life of sacrifice. He sacrificed for us." Benson was in Iraq helping train the fledgling Iraqi police forces.... Benson's Army colleagues described a man who has served all over the world, committed to his country, his fellow soldiers and, at the end, his mission in Iraq.
  
  Benson's brother-in-law Aaron Malusky reflected on a scene from the movie "Saving Private Ryan," when the title character - decades after the battle in which a number of soldiers died to save his life - asks his wife if his life had been worthy of all the lives of those who died to save him.
  
  "I hope we live a life worthy of his sacrifice," Malusky said. "One thing death can never do is take away our memories. A good man has fallen." Associated Press 8/19/05