BENNETT, EDWARD A.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S.
Army, Company B, 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division. Place and date:
Heckhuscheid, Germany, February 1945. Entered service at: Middleport,
Ohio. Birth: Middleport, Ohio. G.O. No.: 95, 30 October 1945.
Citation:
He 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
machinegunners 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 7
Germans. Three he killed with rifle fire, another he clubbed to death with the butt of his
gun, and the 3 others he dispatched with his .45 caliber pistol. The fearless initiative,
stalwart combat ability, and outstanding gallantry of Cpl. 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.
