World War II Honoree

William Earl Bennett

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Sterling, Kansas

Honored By

Emily K. Bennett

Relationship

Wife

HE ENLISTED IN THE ARMY RESERVE CORPS AT FORT RILEY, KANSAS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY AT FORT LEAVENWORTH ON JUNE 8, 1943 AT THE AGE 19. HE WAS SELECTED FOR THE ARMY SPECIALIZED TRAINING PROGRAM TO TAKE ADVANCED MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AT NEW MEXICO A & M COLLEGE AT LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO. WHEN THE PROGRAM WAS CLOSED, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 12TH ARMORED DIVISION, THE 43RD TANK BATTALION IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HE SERVED WITH THE MEDICAL FIRST AID STATION IN THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPEAN CAMPAIGNS IN FRANCE AND GERMANY. ON V-E DAY HE MOVED TO DINKELSBUHL, GERMANY TO SERVE IN THE MEDICAL DIVISION WITH THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION, IN CHARGE OF MEDICAL RECORDS. HE WAS LATER TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER DIVISION AND HELPED GUARD THE PRISON WHICH HOUSED PRISONERS OF WAR AT SCHWABISCH HALL, GERMANY. HE SAILED HOME FROM ANTWERP, BELGIUM AND RECEIVED HIS HONORABLE DISCHARGE AT FORTH LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS ON APRIL 5, 1946 AFTER 33 MONTHS OF SERVICE.