Edward A. Bennett
Encyclopedia
Edward A. Bennett, Jr. was a United States Army
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in World War II
.
. He was drafted
into the U.S. Army in January 1944 from Middleport and by February 1, 1945, was serving as a corporal in Company B, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. On that day, in Heckhuscheid
, Germany
, he single-handedly charged a house held by German soldiers, who were firing on his company, and killed the occupants in hand-to-hand combat. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on October 30, 1945. During his service, he also received the Silver Star
, Bronze Star, and four Purple Heart
s.
In June 1951, after the start of the Korean War, Bennett became a commissioned officer. He served in Korea and eventually reached the rank of major
before his retirement in October 1962 following a heart attack. He died at age 63 on May 2, 1983, and was buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery
in San Bruno, California
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
Bennett was born on February 11, 1920, in Middleport, OhioMiddleport, Ohio
Middleport is a village in Meigs County, Ohio, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 2,525 at the 2000 census.Middleport was the home of Walter "Mother" Watson, a Major League Baseball pitcher.-Geography:...
. He was drafted
Conscription in the United States
Conscription in the United States has been employed several times, usually during war but also during the nominal peace of the Cold War...
into the U.S. Army in January 1944 from Middleport and by February 1, 1945, was serving as a corporal in Company B, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. On that day, in Heckhuscheid
Heckhuscheid
Heckhuscheid is a municipality in the district of Bitburg-Prüm, in Rhineland-Palatinate, western Germany.-References:...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, he single-handedly charged a house held by German soldiers, who were firing on his company, and killed the occupants in hand-to-hand combat. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on October 30, 1945. During his service, he also received the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, Bronze Star, and four Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
s.
In June 1951, after the start of the Korean War, Bennett became a commissioned officer. He served in Korea and eventually reached the rank of major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
before his retirement in October 1962 following a heart attack. He died at age 63 on May 2, 1983, and was buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery
Golden Gate National Cemetery
Golden Gate National Cemetery is a U.S. National Cemetery, located in the city of San Bruno, San Mateo County, 12 miles south of San Francisco. Because of the name and location, it is frequently confused with San Francisco National Cemetery, which dates to the 19th century and is in the Presidio...
in San Bruno, California
San Bruno, California
San Bruno is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States. The population was 41,114 at the 2010 census.The city is adjacent to San Francisco International Airport and Golden Gate National Cemetery.-Geography:San Bruno is located at...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Bennett's official Medal of Honor citation reads:He was advancing with Company B across open ground to assault Heckhuscheid, Germany, just after dark when vicious enemy machinegun fire from a house on the outskirts of the town pinned down the group and caused several casualties. He began crawling to the edge of the field in an effort to flank the house, persisting in this maneuver even when the hostile machinegunners located him by the light of burning buildings and attempted to cut him down as he made for the protection of some trees. Reaching safety, he stealthily made his way by a circuitous route to the rear of the building occupied by the German gunners. With his trench knifeTrench knifeA Trench knife is a combat knife designed to kill or gravely incapacitate an enemy soldier at close quarters, as might be encountered in a trenchline or other confined area. It was developed in response to a need for a close combat weapon for soldiers conducting assaults and raids on enemy...
he killed a sentry on guard there and then charged into the darkened house. In a furious hand-to-hand struggle he stormed about a single room which harbored 7 Germans. Three he killed with rifle fire, another he clubbed to death with the butt of his gun, and the 3 others he dispatched with his .45 caliber pistol. The fearless initiative, stalwart combat ability, and outstanding gallantry of Cpl. Bennett eliminated the enemy fire which was decimating his company's ranks and made it possible for the Americans to sweep all resistance from the town.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II