Royal New Zealand Air Force 37 Squadron Pilot Officer William George Duncan Thurston, from Heriot, died in Libya on June 20, 1942, during the North African campaign. He was 27.
One thousand and fifty-one Commonwealth servicemen are buried in the cemetery.
P Offr Thurston's headstone was one of 238 damaged by a militia group following the burning of the Koran at a Nato military base in Afghanistan last month.
Video footage showed a mob smashing up headstones and a cross at the cemetery.
P Offr Thurston was the son of Frederick and Mary Thurston, of Heriot, and husband of Hazel Thurston, of Rangiora.
Attempts to contact relatives were unsuccessful yesterday.
West Otago RSA president Mingo Menzies said the damage to the graves was "despicable".
"It's one of the most disrespectful kinds of crime you can think of.
"We hope that they are caught up with, and severely dealt with."
Prime Minister John Key said the desecration of the graves was "absolutely heartbreaking" for the families involved.
The War Graves Commission would repair the damage, he said.
The 11 New Zealanders buried at the Benghazi War Cemetery are Private Hedley James Boult, Flying Officer Hector Hugh Crawford, Flight Sergeant Lorenzo Richard Feasey, Flying Officer William Lynn Kauter, Lance Corporal Arthur Leslie Milne, Sergeant Maurice Reginald Mutton, Lieutenant Hector Alexander McAulay, Flight Sergeant Mitchell Ridland, Aircraftman First Class Thomas Martin Scott, Private Peter Edgar Alfred Vivienne Wardle, and Pilot Officer William George Duncan Thurston.
Libyan authorities have apologised for the desecration.
• If you are related to any of these men please contact us.
- Additional reporting by APNZ
