World War II Honoree

Jack Bent

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

San Angelo, Texas

Honored By

Friends & Family

ASSIGNED TO BE AN AIRPLANE MECHANIC AND A REAR SEAT GUNNER AND ENDED UP IN EFATE IN NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS. HIS SQUADRON WAS THE FIRST NAVY SQUADRON TO BE ISLAND BASED AS THE JAPANESE HAD ALREADY OCCUPIED GUADALCANAL. HE WENT WITH THE U.S. FORCES THAT INVADED GUADALCANAL. HE RETURNED TO THE STATES IN EARLY 1943 AND WAS ORDERED TO ATTEND FLIGHT SCHOOL AS A 2ND CLASS PETTY OFFICER. ON GRADUATING HE WAS COMMISSIONED AN ENSIGN U.S. NAVY RESERVE.