WW2 Fallen - Stanley Bennett, 24th Infantry Division

Pvt. Stanley Bennett.
from the book World War II Young American Patriots 1941-1945

Stanley W. Bennett never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 25, 1917 in West Virginia. His parents were also both born in West Virginia. His father was a coal miner. Stanley had two older brothers, three younger brothers and two younger sisters. By 1940 Stanley had moved to Pennsylvania. He had a wife named Virginia and had a 4 year old girl and 2 year old boy, also named Stanley. A third child was born after the 1940 census. He had an 8th grade education and was working as a laborer.

Stanley entered the service on June 8, 1944 and became a private in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Pvt. Bennett was likely a replacement soldier since the 34th IR was already in the South Pacific when he joined the army. 

He was no doubt already part of Company K when it took part in the invasion of Leyte in October 1944. By January 1945 it was on to the task of retaking Luzon. The 3rd Battalion was given the specific assignment of eliminating the Japanese on Corregidor Island. With the aid of paratroopers who dropped in on the high ground, the 3rd Bn landed on February 16 and found the island to be well defended. 

This map shows the attack on Corregidor that Pvt. Bennett participated in.

http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/rock-force-assault-macarthurs-invasion-of-corregidor/ 

It took 11 days to dislodge the 6,700 Japanese defenders, 6.600 of which were killed. The Japanese conducted repeated banzai attacks. Pvt. Bennett was killed on February 17, the second day of the battle. He was one of 207 troops that were lost retaking Corregidor. 

His remains were returned to be buried at Grafton National Cemetery in Grafton, West Virginia.

Thank you Stanley for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Stanley.


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