Benjamin was in New Orleans, and attended Francis T. Nicholls High School and Louisiana State University. He was drafted into the U.S. Army on January 19, 1951. After basic training he was placed in his unit's motor pool, but told his company commander he could "make a better contribution to the war. So I gave him my background and what I thought I could do, and the next day he called me over in the office. I stayed in the office the rest of my time," Benjamin recalls. He saw no combat during the Korean War, but hustled to cover in a nearby cave during air raids. He went to Tokyo on leave once; otherwise, he remained at his post for nearly two years. Benjamin says he liked the South Koreans, and recalls a clothing drive the army organized, urging families back home to send apparel, especially for children. He was discharged on January 21, 1953. He enrolled at Tulane University on the GI Bill.