BENNETT WILLARD M

COL Willard "Will" M. Bennett was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/20/2009 at the age of 78.5 from Lung cancer
Saint Petersburg, FL
Flight Class 55-A
Date of Birth 05/07/1931
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with C/229 AHB 1 CAV in 65-66, 11 AVN in 68-69, HHC/227 AHB 1 CAV in 69
Call signs in Vietnam AXEL, LIGHTNING 6
This information was provided by Robert "Ken" Jayne, Don Joyce

More detail on this person: Willard M. Bennett, Jr. Col USA (Ret), Aviator, Friend - a Life Member of the Army Otter Caribou Association, he had been a member for 20 years, served as Treasurer of the Association for about twelve years, and had flown Otters with the 12th Aviation Company. Will had also been a HU-1 'Huey' Company commander for the 1st Air Cav and had been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action.

Services will be held Friday 30th October 2009, 1000 A.M. at St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral 140 4th St N , St Petersburg , FL 33701. Light refreshments will be served across the street at the conclusion of the service, before internment at Bay Pines scheduled for 1245 hrs.

BENNETT, Col. Willard M. 78, passed away on Oct. 20, 2009, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vonnie; son Scott Bennett; daughter Lori Bennett Mattice and four grandchildren, Steven Schroeder, Kelli Schroeder, Blair and Brett Bennett. Born in Ft. Collins, CO to Dr. and Mrs. Willard M. Bennett. Will was commissioned as Second Lt. in the Field Artillery in 1953 from the ROTC program at Colorado State University. Retired in the grade of Colonel, his military specialty included Army Aviator, rated in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. His service assignments include Korea, Japan, Alaska and two tours in Vietnam, plus many U.S. bases including attending the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. Col. Bennett's military awards and decorations include The Silver Star, Legion of Merit (2), Distinguished Flying Cross (4), Army Commendation Medal (3), the Bronze Star, Air Medal (42). Bennett and his wife Vonnie lived is St. Petersburg and part time at Lake Lure, NC. He was a registered securities broker and enjoyed golf and travel in his free time. Funeral Services will be held Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at 10 am at St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral, 140 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, followed by a military memorial service at 12:45 at Bay Pines Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines. Visit Vetfuneralcare.com to sign the guestbook. Veterans Funeral Care 524-9202

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025