Ben Syring Jr. was born October 24, 1948, in San Antonio, Texas, to Benjamin J. Syring, Sr. and Aurelia (Scheel) Syring.  He received his education in Texas.

Ben enlisted in the United States Marine Corps July 25, 1967. He completed basic training at Camp Pendelton in San Diego, California, and earned Private 1st Class (E-1).

Ben was also awarded the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge and the Good Conduct Medal.

Shortly after training, Ben was deployed to Da Nang, Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, Ben was stationed as a guard at Headquarters, where he had full responsibility for the safety of the commanding officers.

While on guard duty, he learned how to play the harmonica and was often heard playing in the tower to pass the time. Ben shared that he even saw the enemy listening to the music.

PFC Syring was also sometimes called out on missions in the field for infantry.

Ben earned Lance Corporal (E-3) on January 1, 1969. On February 4, 1969, he was honorably discharged and transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve until he gained full discharge on July 24, 1973. 

LCPL Syring was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

On July 11, 1970, Ben married Jean Fricke at Presentation Catholic Church, Marietta.  They lived near Linwood where they raised their family of 4 children, Ben III, Karla (Brezina), Andrea (Carey), and Andrew.

Ben worked at Cargill for over 40 years and also operated H & B’s Barbecue in Schuyler with his brother, Herb.  He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Schuyler.  Ben enjoyed hunting and fishing, making deer sausage and barbecuing, classic country music and spending time with his friends at the Senior Center in Schuyler.  Nothing was more important to Ben than spending time with his family, and his noble service to his country as a proud Vietnam Veteran. 

Ben Syring Jr. died in an automobile accident on October 31, 2023 at the age of 75 years old and was buried with military honors in the Schuyler Cemetery, Schuyler, Nebraska.