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<em>William John Bennett</em> was born in Highland Falls, New York, on 27 August 1915, the son of William and Nora Fay Bennett. Bill’s early attraction to West Point was nurtured in the Boy Scouts. He became an Eagle Scout and credited his scoutmaster, Andrew Borger, as the man who most influenced his life and encouraged him to try for West Point. Bill is one of that admirable group of graduates who enlisted in the Army to get into West Point. He served two years in the 16th Infantry and received a Senatorial appointment from New York while at the West Point Preparatory School at Fort Totten.</p>
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We classmates in I Company had a special affection for Bill. He liked people and had a keen empathy for the feelings and problems of others. He was devoted, perhaps sooner than most of us, to the principles of West Point. He had a faith and optimism that left him unscathed from academic skirmishes, and he delighted in relating the viewpoints and vicissitudes of those of us who encountered academic difficulties. Through his abundant good humor Bill made gloom periods and the daily monotony of cadet life less onerous for us.</p>
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Graduating in 1940, Bill was commissioned in the Coast Artillery. After duty in the Panama Canal Zone, he commanded an officer candidate battalion at Fort Davis, North Carolina. He served with troops in the Southwest Pacific in World War II and graduated from the Command and General Staff College in 1946. Bill’s Army service reflected his interest in people. He instructed at the Artillery School, served as personnel staff officer at Headquarters, US Army Caribbean, commanded the 764th AA Gun Battalion at Fort Davis, Canal Zone, served at Headquarters, Carlisle Barracks and in Korea with G-l of I Corps. After duty at Headquarters, Continental Army Command, Bill was able in 1959 to give again of his exceptional talent for guiding and teaching young people as professor of Military Science and Tactics at La Salle College. After serving again overseas at Headquarters, Nellingen Barracks, Colonel Bennett retired in 1964. After retirement he taught mathematics at Hatboro-Horsham High School, Pennsylvania until 1968.</p>
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Bill married Kathryn McCune with whom he attended high school in Highland Falls while her father served as Navy doctor at Iona Island. Kathryn writes:</p>
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“We met when Bill was sixteen and I was fifteen and that was that for both of us. Some of our high school classmates attended Bill’s funeral at West Point.</p>
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“Bill still remained in touch with students he taught after retiring from the Army. They credit him with great influence on their lives.</p>
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“He loved nature and found his ideal spot to live in Willow Street just two years before his death. The good people and beautiful farmland brought him great pleasure.”</p>
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Bill is also survived by a son, William John, Jr., who is a writer in New York City.</p>
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In a letter written six weeks before his death Bill enclosed the usual clippings from the Highland Falls paper about West Point and the Army teams. His indomitable spirit is reflected in this which he wrote regarding the cancer he suffered from:</p>
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“So far so good with my treatment. There is no complete cure. Two years and a butt is my current goal—the 50th Reunion. Then I’ll set another goal. Just the first goal will make me happy.” Bill concluded with, “Alors, then,” an expression with which he enjoyed fracturing French as a cadet.</p>
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Those of us from I Company, Class of 1940, who do make the 50th Reunion will raise our glasses to Bill Bennett. We are privileged to be the classmates, colleagues, and friends of this fine officer and wonderful human being.</p>
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