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name
BENNETT, John Manche - Date of
birth
28 August 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Lewiston, Fergus County, Montana -
Hometown
Tennessee
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-491560 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Platoon Commander -
Unit
G Company,
2nd Battalion,
2nd Infantry Regiment,
5th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 September 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Vernéville, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 36 | 42 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Manche O. Bennett (father)
Alice M. (Lyon) Bennett (mother)
Margaret M. Bennett (sister)
Mabel M. Bennett (sister)
Barbara Bennett (twin sister)
Jessemine N. (Allgrove) Bennett (wife)
More information
1st Lt John M. Bennett graduated from the Virginia Military Institute.He enlisted at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia in 21 January 1943.
He was a first–rate officer and human being. He was young but he knew how to lead men and he didn’t flinch. He was shot together with his runner by a German machine gun while leading the point of his platoon. The runner was killed instantly and 1st Lt Bennett had three bullet wounds in his lower right side. On the question from Michael Bilder “are you hit Lieutenant?”, his last words where “And How”.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Champigneul, France.
Source of information: Leo Minne, www.abmc.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930 Census, www.findagrave.com - Robert Bennett, Michael C. and James G. Bilder - "A foot soldier for Patton"
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Andy / 50thAIB