Benjamin Van Doren Hedges II (1907-1969)

Born at Plainfield, Illinois. He was educated at Princeton University and was President of the 1930 class for all four of his undergraduate years. He was Captain of both the Freshman and Varsity Track teams. In 1928, he represented the United States at the Amsterdam Olympics and won a silver medal for the high jump, clearing 1.91 meters (6' 3-1/4"). In 1931, he joined the Bankers Trust Co., as a personnel administrator. During World War II, he served in the Navy and rose to the rank of Commander. He won 13 Battle Stars and received a Presidential Unit Citation for his work in the Pacific as an air combat intelligence officer. After the war, he resumed his work with the Banker's Trust Co. until 1950 when he resigned to be Vice-President of Big Brothers of America.