Benjamin White Norris was born on 15 May 1907 at Callao, Peru. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps Reserves on 15 May 1919. He completed flight training on 6 May 1938 and was promoted to Major on 16 May 1942. He was killed in action 4 June 1942 while leading a search and attack mission during the Battle of Midway. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.