Colonel Benjamin Kirk was a Human male and the father of the renowned James T. Kirk.

Kirk was a hero of a military conflict known as the Klingon Repulsion. When his son was twelve years old, Benjamin was awarded the posthumous Starfleet decoration, the Supreme Medal of Honor, and an acceptance letter from Commander Alden McWilliams confirmed Jim Kirk's honorary appointment to UFP Space Academy. (TOS comic: "The Enterprise Logs, Volume 1")

Benjamin Kirk was mentioned in James T. Kirk's psycho-file. It is possible that Colonel Kirk was a godfather, foster father, or grandfather to Kirk, given that more sources place George Samuel Kirk, Sr. in the role.