Ben Amsden was born on October 10, 1922, in Buffalo, New York. He entered flight training in the U.S. Navy on September 22, 1943, and was commissioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator on February 1, 1944. Ensign Amsden served as an F4U Corsair pilot with VF-100 from February to August 1944, followed by service as an F6F-5 Hellcat pilot with VF-22 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Cowpens from August 1944 to January 1945. During this time he was credited with the destruction of 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 2 probables, 8 damaged, and 1 destroyed on the ground while strafing enemy airfields. After returning to the U.S., LtJg Amsden served with VF-74 and then VF-39 from January 1945 until he left active duty on September 6, 1945. Ben Amsden Flew West on December 19, 2014, and was buried at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

His Distinguished Flying Cross Citation reads:

For heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane assigned to operations in the Philippine Sea area on 15 October 1944. During a single flight he destroyed two enemy torpedo planes while defending the task force against enemy torpedo attacks, thus preventing what might have been serious damage to units of our ships. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.