World War II Honoree

Biagio 'Ben' Bennardi

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Patterson, New Jersey

Honored By

James J. Romano

Relationship

Nephew

SERVED WITH THE 82ND AIRBORNE, 508TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT (RED DEVILS), HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION. PARTICIPATED IN NORMANDY COMBAT JUMP AND CONTINUED THROUGH HEAVY ACTION AT HILL 30 WEST OF MERDERET. RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR FOR VALOR. ASSIGNED TO DUTY AS PERSONAL BODY GUARD TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL THOMAS J. B. SHANLEY. PERFORMED COMBAT JUMP AT NIJMEGEN, HOLLAND ON 9/17/44. SERVED WITH THIS REGIMENT DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE IN BELGIUM.