World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
William R. Bennett, Jr.
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
East Saint Louis, Illinois
Honored By
Robert Medley Gatewood
ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JUNE 24, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. AFTER BASIC TRAINING, VOLUNTEERED AND WAS ACCEPTED FOR AN ENLISTED FLYING TRAINING PROGRAM. UPON COMPLETION, HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE 2109TH ARMY AIR FORCE BASE UNIT AS AN AVIATION CADET ON AUGUST 3, 1945 AT TURNER FIELD, GEORGIA, TO ACCEPT APPOINTMENT AS A FLIGHT OFFICER THE NEXT DAY. SERVED AS A TWIN ENGINE AIRCRAFT PILOT AT BROOKS FIELD, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS UNTIL SEPARATED FROM ACTIVE DUTY ON NOVEMBER 16, 1945 AT SCOTT FIELD, ILLINOIS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.