Edward A. Bennett

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Edward A. Bennett, Jr.
February 11, 1920(1920-02-11) – May 2, 1983 (aged 63)
Image:Replace this image male.svg
Edward A. Bennett, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth Middleport, Ohio
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Major
Unit 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division
Battles/wars World War II
Korean War
Awards Medal of Honor

Edward A. Bennett, Jr., (February 11, 1920 – May 2, 1983) 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.

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[edit] Biography

Bennett joined the Army from his birth place of Middleport, Ohio, and by February 1945 was serving as a Corporal in Company B, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. During that month, 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.

Bennett reached the rank of major and served in the Korean War before leaving the Army. He died at age 63 and was buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California.

[edit] 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 knife 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.

[edit] See also

United States Army Portal

[edit] References