Ben T. Traywick

Ben T. Traywick, was born in Watertown, Tennessee in 1927.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served in the South Pacific. By the time he had reached his 18th Birthday, Ben had earned 13 major battle stars, a Philippine Presidential Citation, and a Combat Service Ribbon, plus numerous other ribbons. He served a second hitch after the war, most of it in China during their civil strife. Ben was on the last ship to evacuate Tsingtao. The remainder of his enlistment was spent on the battleship Missouri.

Ben graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a B.S. degree in chemistry and mathematics in 1953. After spending 30 years in the supervision and handling of exotic high explosives in such places as Oak Ridge (atomic), Sacramento (missiles), and Arizona (mining), he retired at the age of 56 to pursue his interest in the history of the Southwest.

Tombstone's "Resident Historian" appointed by the Mayor and Council, has written on Western U.S. history for more than 50 years. He has published more than 900 newspaper and magazine articles, and 37 books and 49 pamphlets. He is often acknowledged as the greatest living expert on Tombstone and Wyatt Earp.