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Personal info

Full name
BENNETT, Stanley Duane
Date of birth
25 July 1920
Age
22
Place of birth
Smith Center, Smith County, Kansas
Hometown
Johnson, Nemaha County, Nebraska

Military service

Service number
17078402
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
412th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
11 June 1943
Place of death
Coordinates: 54°10 north, 05°40 east
North Sea

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
John H. Bennett (father)
Stella J. (Chaney) Bennett (mother)
Garold C. Bennett (brother)
John G. Bennett (brother)
Dean L. Bennett (sister)
Martha J. (Snyder) Bennett (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-29693
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Lonesome Polecat
Destination: Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boat submarine yard
MACR: 2807

More information

Stanley D. Bennett graduated from Auburn High School.

He was married to Martha Janet Snyder on 4 March 1943.

On the route back over the North Sea, approximately 25 miles off the coast of Germany, and under enemy fighter attack, the plane left formation and was seen to spin down, out of control, exploding on hitting the water and sinking immediately. Two to four parachutes were reported as seen leaving the plane, but eventually all of the crew members were reported missing in action.

Six crew members are remembered on the Walls of the Missing at Margraten: Richard C. Miller, John J. Vail, Windell D. Neely, John F. Davoren, Stanley D. Bennett, and George E. Babich.

Four crew members are remembered on the Walls of the Missing at Cambridge: Malcolm B. MacKinnon, Eugene W. Wood, Richard M. Cavanaugh, and Alexander A. Mareck.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.95thbg.org, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.newspapers.com - The Lincoln Star

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Luc Zaman, Sam E. Pennartz