Ben Meier

Major Benjamin “Chex” Meier always wanted to be an Air Force pilot and succeeded after attending the Air Force Academy and graduating from undergraduate pilot training where he got to fly his first choice, the F-16. He flew in three different combat zones including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. He was awarded the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Daedalian award for his heroic deeds on a combat mission over Afghanistan. Chex turned down a coveted spot at the Air Force Weapons School to be home with his wife and new son. In 2013, he was selected to be an F-35 test pilot at Edwards AFB. His last service to his country was donating his organs to save others.

​On the morning of September 28, 2015, Ben was hit by a car while running at Edwards AFB, California. He was transported to the hospital where he fought for his life but due to head injuries, he passed away on October 2. Ben is survived by his wife Becky Diane and two boys. We were honored to have met Becky Diane in 2019 at our Survivors of Heroes Retreat.