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HOMER A. BENNINGTON

Draft record for Homer A. Bennington who registered for the draft ca. 1940 based on his age and date of birth.

However, Homer had enlisted in the National Guard on 24 June 1936 and in the 1940 Federal census was listed in his parents' household with the occupations of  "Soldier, Miner in Coal Mines".

But, he was activated and Pvt Bennington (line 347) was aboard the USS Chateau Thierry (AP-31) which had sailed from Fort Slocum, NY on 1 September 1936 destined for what was then called the Panama Canal Department.  [Note: the "Department" was divided into the Atlantic Sector and the Pacific Sector, each protecting an entrance to the canal.]

After returning home, Homer married Gertrude Nelson on 1 January 1940.  The record, however, has a notation of "Court Order 1-27-43" but its meaning is unclear.

 

T4 Bennington reenlisted on 14 November 1945 and the 1945 City Directory listed he and Gertrude living at 1041 Linwood Blvd, approximately 13 miles from the Fort Benning main gate using the road system of that era. [image courtesy of  homes.com]

On 17 August 1948, Gertrude was listed (line 25) as an unaccompanied female aboard the USAT Fred C. Ainsworth arriving in Seattle Washington from Yokohama, Japan. Her home address of Cool Ridge, WV is the same as her husband's location in the 1940 Census.

Homer was a member of Hq 2nd, 508th PIR during 1943 rising to Pfc and Cpl but his dates of arrival and departure are unknown.  He remained in service until 20 November 1962.  His grade at retirement is not known.

Homer died in Harper (Raleigh), WV on 17 October 1981 and Gertrude expired in Beckley (Raleigh), WV on 16 April 1991.  Their final resting places are unknown.

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