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First Name: William

Last Name: Bennett

Birthplace: USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Seymour, TN
Middle Name: M.



Date of Birth: 18 March 1968

Date of Death: 12 September 2003

Rank: Sergeant First Class

Years Served: 1986 - 2003
William M. Bennett

   
Engagements:
•  Operation Just Cause - Panama (1989 - 1990)
•  Gulf War (1990 - 1991)
•  Afghanistan War (Operation Enduring Freedom) (2001 - present)
•  Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) (2003 - 2011)

Biography:

William M. Bennett
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

On 7 April 2003, Sergeant First Class William M. Bennett was serving with Operational Detachment Alpha 583 (ODA-583), 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), based at Fort Campbell, KY, while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

On that day, SFC Bennett’s unit was engaged in combat action against enemy forces during a pre-dawn raid roughly 75 miles east of Baghdad. During that raid, SFC Bennett was Killed in Action. SFC Bennett’s courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards, Badges and Tabs (Partial List)

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal with 5 Bronze Knots
National Defense Service Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (Second Award)
Parachutist Badge
Special Operations Diver Badge
Special Forces Tab

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class William M. Bennett, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Operational Detachment Alpha 583 (ODA-583), 3d Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Iraq, on 7 April 2003. Sergeant First Class Bennett's performance as a member of a two-detachment direct action force was exemplary. His selfless dedication to his fellow Soldiers served as an example for others. Sergeant First Class Bennett's willing sacrifice of his own life proved instrumental in saving the lives of his fellow warriors. Sergeant First Class Bennett's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Burial

Sergeant First Class William M. Bennett is buried at Oak View Cemetery in Walland, Blount County, TN.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7892761/william-m-bennett



Honoree ID: 3943   Created by: MHOH

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