Benjamin F. Dillingham III

From dKosopedia

Category: Hawaii people

Benjamin F. Dillingham III, born in Honolulu, a fourth generation islander, Ben Dillingham III, is an activist and philanthropist who's been involved with scores of GLBT organizations in San Diego.

Rep. Robert Filner of San Diego inserted into the Congressional Record on July 24, 2000, a tribute to Benjamin F. Dillingham III. A portion of the tribute follows:

Ben received his B.A. degree cum laude and his master's in business administration both from Harvard University. Upon graduation from Harvard Business School with distinction, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps; and while in Vietnam, he was promoted to first lieutenant.

When he returned to the United States, he began training recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego and was promoted to captain while at MCRD. He was given orders to Advanced Armor School conducted by the United States Army at Fort Knox and graduated, typically, at the top of his class before returning to duty with the Marines. Ben finished his service as a division training officer and then drove across country to establish residence in San Diego, California.

Here in San Diego, he was recognized as a true community leader. Prior to his work as chief of staff for the mayor, he also worked for General Dynamics, Convair Division, and the Metropolitan Transit Development Board.

Mr. Speaker, his service to the community is broad and spans a number of organizations. He has served as a member of the Marine Corps Association, the United States Armor Association, the Navy League, the Hawaiian Mission Children's Society, the Center for Social Services, the Greater San Diego Business Association, the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego, the United Way, the Diversity Committee, the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, the San Diego Scholarship Foundation, and the County AIDS Service Advisory Panel.

He has been a board chair of the AIDS Foundation of San Diego and the County of San Diego AIDS Services Advisory Panel, and he has served as a board member of the Episcopal Community Services, L.I.F.E. Foundation, AIDS Project, and the San Diego Scholarship Foundation.

Aside from all of these memberships and board leaderships, he has numerous honors from across the city. His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V for Vietnam Service and the Army Commendation Medal at the Armor Officer Advance Course at Fort Knox. His civilian recognition includes Man of the Year, the San Diego Lesbian/Gay Pride Festival; the Human Rights Campaign Fund Crystal Torch Award; the Log Cabin Club Pursuit of Happiness Award; the Brad Truax Presidential Award; the Stan Berry Award; and the Harvey Milk Memorial Award at the Nickys; the Harvey Milk Democratic Club Human Rights Award, and the San Diego AIDS Project Celebration of Life Award. [1]

Related Links

• Dillingham Family

External Links

• A TRIBUTE TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DILLINGHAM III Congressional Record, U.S. House of Representatives, July 24, 2000)