Wallace Orr Bennett, Sr.

United States army 1944-1945

World war II

Technician 5th grade

good conduct medal

eame campaign medal

Wallace (Wally) was born in East Windsor, CT to Emma (Wallace) and Milford Bennett on July 15, 1916. He had an older brother Marshall (Mick) Bennett and a younger sister Beatrice. In May 29, 1940 he married the love of his life Margaret (Bennett). He was drafted into the Army on August 23, 1944 and discharged on December 31, 1945. At the time of his entry, he had two children and a third on the way. He was a Technician Fifth Grade, Troop B 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Mechanized, Pvt Infantry Basic 521, Pfc Radio Operator Low Speed 776 and Tec 5 Truck Driver, Light 345. He attended Armored School at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He served 10 months overseas in Rhineland - Central Europe under General Patton.

Upon his return, he worked for the Thompsonville DPW as a truck driver and later joined the Thompsonville Police Department as a Supernumerary officer. In 1950 he became a regular police officer and attained the rank of Sergeant in 1958. He retired after 22 years of honorable police service in October, 1972. He was a member of Doric Lodge No 94 AF&AM and other community organizations and was an active official of the Enfield Federal Credit Union which he was instrumental in its organization. In his free time he loved to play the drums and later learned to play the piano and the organ. He was in the Thompsonville Fife and Drum Corp and helped organize the annual Freshwater Pond fishing derby. He also helped to start up a Boy Scout in the Polish National Home. He was a recipient of many commendations during his year of police service, he was cited by the Governor of the State of Connecticut and the Enfield Police Department for his act of bravery on November 19, 1961 when he participated in the rescue of a woman and several small children from a burning building. He passed away on December 10, 1972 after a brave battle with cancer at the young age of 56 years..