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CAPTAIN WALTER
F.V. BENNETT , U.S NAVY
Walter Francis Vincent Bennett was born in New York, New York, on December 29, 1919. He attended Hastings High School, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, and Manhattan College in New York City , from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics in 1942. On October 4, 1940 he enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserve and on June 16, 1941 was appointed Midshipman. He attended the U. S. Naval Reserve Midshipman School at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, and on September 12, 1941 was commissioned Ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve. Advancing progressively in rank, he attained that of Captain, to date from January 1, 1961, having transferred from the Naval Reserve to the U. S. Navy on November 5, 1946. After receiving his commission in 1941, he attended a course in naval engineering at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. During the period May to August 1942, he had duty with the Inshore Patrol at the U. S. Naval Section Base, Corpus Christi, Texas, after which he served as Engineering Officer and Executive Officer of the USS SC-655, assuming command of that submarine chaser in March 1943. "Under his command, SC-655 participated in operations in North Africa, the Sicilian occupation and the landings at Salerno. "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity....in action against the enemy during the invasion of Italy in September 1943...." he was awarded the Silver Star Medal. The citation reads:
He became Officer in Charge of the Navy Recruiting Station, Louisville, Kentucky, in December 1947 and for the year, June 1948 to June 1949, was a student at the Postgraduate School, Annapolis, Maryland. He continued instruction as a Graduate Student at Ohio State University at Columbus, from which he received the degree of Master of Science in Physics in 1951. In June of that year he reported as Assistant Progress Officer at the Armed Forces Special Weapons project, Washington, D. C., and while there also had duty at the U. S. Army Chemical Center, Edgewood, Maryland. He remained there until April 1952, when he joined the USS ALBANY (CA-l23), to serve as Tactical Officer and Navigator until March 1954. He was next assigned to the Atomic Energy Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D. C. While there he was an Instructor in the School of Engineering at the University of Virginia in 1957 and 1958. In July 1958 he joined the USS FLOYD B. PARKS (DD-884) as Commanding Officer. Returning to duty in the Atomic Energy Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in September 1960, he headed the Nuclear Weapons Employment Branch. In that capacity, he coordinated all research and development requirements in nuclear weapons effects areas with the Defense Atomic Support Agency and the Navy Technical Bureaus. From March 1961 until July 1964 he was Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Atomic Energy), Washington, D. C. While in Washington, he also was an Associate in the Mathematics Department at George Washington University in 1961 and from 1961 to 1963 was an Instructor in the Mathematics Department, School of' Engineering at the University of Virginia. He was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal and cited as follows: "Captain Walter F. V. Bennett, United states Navy, distinguished himself by meritorious achievement during the period from February 24, 1961 to June 29, 1964. Captain Bennett.....has contributed in a meritorious manner to the successful accomplishment of the mission of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Atomic Energy) . That office was primarily and continuously concerned at the highest levels, within the United States Government, with the formulation of policies and programs pertaining to atomic energy matters within the Department of Defense. The new NATO Agreement for Cooperation, now in the final stages of approval and formalization, for which Captain Bennett was the principal Department of Defense staff coordinator and representative, is illustrative of his significant contributions...." In July 1964 he assumed command of the USS SHENANDOAH (AD-26) and in August 1965 was detached from that command for instruction at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D. C. In September 1966 he reported as Head of the Mathematics Department at the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, and in April 1968 became commanding Officer of the USS LITTLE ROCK CLG 4. In addition to the Silver Star Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Captain Bennett has the American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three stars; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal; China Service Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star. He is married to the former Kathleen Eleanor Nestor of New Rochelle, New York, and they have two daughters, Betsy Ann and Kathleen Marie Bennett. - The Washington Post -
January 12, 1990 Walter F.V. Bennett, 70, a retired Navy captain and nuclear engineer, died of cancer Jan. 8 at a nursing home in Daytona Beach, FL. Capt. Bennett, who had lived in Florida since 1985, was a native of New York and a graduate of Cornell University. He received a master's degree in nuclear physics from Ohio State University and a master's degree in business administration from George Washington University. He also graduated from the Industrial College of Armed Forces. He was commissioned in the Navy during World War II, and served in the Mediterranean and the Pacific. Later assignments included tours in the office of the assistant secretary of defense for atomic energy, as commander of a guided missile cruiser and as head of the mathematics department at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. His last assignment was as a nuclear engineer in the Office of Naval Research. Capt. Bennett retired from active duty in 1972 and settled in the Washington area. He then worked for Virginia Electric Power Co. in Richmond and later for the Bechtel Corp. before he retired a second time in 1977. His decorations included the Silver Star and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Bennett of Falls Church; two daughters, Betsy Lurey of Atlanta and Kathleen Schweiker of Chantilly; a sister, Adrienne Erd of Blauvelt, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren. - - - - - - - -
A note from Betsy Bennett
Lurey
Received by the USS Little Rock Association 08 April 2008 Dear Men of the Little Rock, My father loved you. His name was Captain Walter Bennett and he was the commanding officer of the Little Rock in Gaeta from April 1968 - November 1969. My Mother, Katie Bennett, loved you all as well. Dad devoted over 30 years to the Navy and he died of cancer in 1990, too soon for many of his ten grandchildren to know him. My sister and I still miss him dearly. I am compiling a book of memories about Dad. Would you help me? If you remember my Dad (for better or worse!) would you email me? Would you be so kind to forward this message to all the fine men who served the Navy so well on this fine ship? God bless you all. Betsy Bennett Lurey betsylurey@aol.com |
Crew Remembrances & Anecdotes
Betsy Bennett-Lurey
"My father, Walter F Bennett, Capt, USN, was Commanding Officer of the Little Rock in Gaeta, Italy, from April '68 to November '69. It would mean so much if you would share any memories of him with me. The Little Rock's men meant the world to him. He and my Mother loved you all. Dad died in 1990 and we all miss him dearly. Mom (Katie Bennett) is now 85 and doing well in Northern Virginia. I can be reached at betsylurey@aol.com. Many thanks." Mark Lehmann Lt(jg) 1966-1968 (This message was sent to Capt. Bennett's daughter Betsy) .....I was a Lt (jg) under your dad. He was a great CO and a great guy and he taught me a lot about the Navy, ship handling and life. I'll write more directly to you in the next few days as I'm flying today and need to run. Both my wife Gail and I have several nice stories about your dad that I'll send directly to your email address. Glad you wrote in. (Add yours..... Contact Art Tilley)
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