Robert Vernon Bennett Jr. 

Private Robert Vernon Bennett Jr. was killed in action on February 4, 1945 in Alsace-Lorraine, France during the Battle of Colmar Pocket in World War II. He was 24 years old.

Robert Vernon Bennett Jr was born on May 13, 1920 in Henderson, N.C., the son of Robert Vernon Bennett and Lucille Vaughan Bennett.  He graduated from Middleburg High School  and  was employed by Seaboard Airline Railway Company prior to his entry into the armed services.  He was married to Mary Harrison Bennett.

Pvt. Bennett entered the U.S. Army on July 28, 1944 and was deployed to the European Theater of War in December 1944 serving in the 289th Infantry, 75th Division. 

When the Battle of the Bulge German offensive began in the Ardennes on December 16, 1944, the 75th Division was rushed to the front and entered defensive combat on December 23,1944 along the Ourthe River.  The division advanced to the Aisne River and entered Grandmenil on January 5, 1945. The division relieved the 82d Airborne Division along the Salm River on January 8 and strengthened its defensive positions until January 8 when it attacked, taking Vielsalm and other towns in the area.

Shifting to the Seventh Army area in Alsace - Lorraine, the 75th crossed the Colmar Canal, on February 1, 1945, and took part in the liberation of Colmar on February 2.  Pvt. Bennett’s company dismantled and disarmed land mines.  Pvt Bennett was killed in the explosion of one of the land mines on February 2, 1945.

Pvt Bennett is buried in France in the Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France.

Last edited: 28 April 2026