Howard E. Bennink’s Silver Star citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

CORPORAL HOWARD E. BENNINK, USMC.,

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, December 28, 1943. Fearlessly leading his squad, which was detailed to follow a tank making an assault on a heavily fortified hostile pillbox, Corporal Bennink boldly climbed upon the turret of the tank and, despite intense enemy machine-gun and rifle fire, pointed out the enemy position to the driver thereby enabling the unit to reach its objective and completely annihilate the Japanese stronghold. Corporal Bennink’s courageous initiative, daring aggressiveness and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were an inspiration to his comrades and in keeping with highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

For the President,
/s/ James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy

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Born: 25 July 1922 in Coopersville, Mich…. Home of record: Coopersville, Mich…. Enlisted in 1942, also seeing combat in Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima… Passed: 21 December 2008… Interred: Saint Pauls United Church of Christ Cemetery in Watervliet, Mich.