Thomas William BennettCorporal2ND PLT, B CO, 1ST BN, 14TH INFANTRY, 4 INF DIV Army of the United States 07 April 1947 - 11 February 1969 Morgantown, West Virginia Panel 32W Line 010 |
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The database page for Thomas William Bennett
Tom Bennett was always a positive presence wherever, whenever and with whomever he was. His mischievous personality combined with enormous charm endeared him to the widest diversity of people. All kidding aside, Tom lived his 21 years on this earth with integrity, compassion and real love for his fellow man. He wanted to heal differences, bring people together, solve problems and above all, make this world a more peaceful place. He wrote home from the military once about his ethical concern of being in the chapel and thinking, "Can a man kneel before the flag of our country and the cross and keep his integrity?" He truly loved our country, wanted to serve, but could not take a life ... especially in a war with which he strongly disaggreed. Enlisting as a medic and as a conscientious objector was an ethically correct and responsible decision for Tom. Had he lived longer than his one month in Vietnam (I imagine), Tom would have come back to college, graduated from medical school, raised a family, practiced family medicine in West Virginia and would have continued to work for positive social change his entire life. This former student body president and Governor of Boys' State would have continued to be the natural leader whenever he was called upon to do so. His untimely death left a legacy to everyone who knew him to step up and courageously carry on his unfinished work for peace. Tom lives on in the hearts and minds of everyone who ever had the privilege to call him a friend.
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A Note from The Virtual WallDuring the second week of February 1969 the 1st Bn, 14th Infantry was conducting operations in the Chu Pa Mountain area, about 30 kilometers southwest of Kontum. Nine US soldiers were killed in action during that period:
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend, Mary Ellen Rapsawich Coleman coleman.maryellen@yahoo.com |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 27 Nov 2007
Last updated 11/29/2007