Edward Andrew Bennett

World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. A highly decorated soldier, he received the award on October 30, 1945 for his actions as a corporal in Company B, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, US Army at Heckhuscheid, Germany on February 1, 1945 during the latter days of World War II. Drafted into the US Army in January 1944, he was sent to the European Theater of Operations. February 1, 1945 found him in combat action in western Germany near Heckhuscheid for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor above and beyond the call of duty. Following the end of the war, he remained in the US Army and in June 1951 he became a commissioned officer and served in the Korean War. He retired from the US Army in October 1962 at the rank of major with 18 years of continuous military service. He died at the age of 63. In addition to the Medal of honor, he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart (with 3 oak leaf clusters), the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal, among others. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Edward Andrew Bennett, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty on 1 February 1945, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, in action at Heckhuscheid, Germany. Corporal Bennett was advancing with Company B across open ground to assault Heckhuscheid, Germany, just after dark when vicious enemy machinegun fire from a house on the outskirts of the town pinned down the group and caused several casualties. He began crawling to the edge of the field in an effort to flank the house, persisting in this maneuver even when the hostile machine gunners located him by the light of burning buildings and attempted to cut him down as he made for the protection of some trees. Reaching safety, he stealthily made his way by a circuitous route to the rear of the building occupied by the German gunners. With his trench knife he killed a sentry on guard there and then charged into the darkened house. In a furious hand-to-hand struggle he stormed about a single room which harbored seven Germans. Three he killed with rifle fire, another he clubbed to death with the butt of his gun, and the three others he dispatched with his .45 caliber pistol. The fearless initiative, stalwart combat ability, and outstanding gallantry of Corporal Bennett eliminated the enemy fire which was decimating his company's ranks and made it possible for the Americans to sweep all resistance from the town."