Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame

Colonel Bennett was born on April 6, 1911 in Hutchinson, Kansas. He began his military Career by enlisting in Battery C, 1st Battalion, 130th Field Artillery Kansas Army National Guard on October 17, 1929. As a private his military duty consisted of caring for the unit’s horses, which pulled the gun carriages for the unit’s French 75mm Guns. He was activateD with that unit for World War II in December 1940 and was assigned to Battery B and Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. The unit mobilized to Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Arkansas and participated with the 35th Division in the Louisiana Maneuvers in 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the 130th was sent to California as part of the Western Defense Command and he was reassigned to Battery D, 2nd Battalion 130th Field Artillery as Battery Commander. The unit was reorganized into the 154th Field Artillery and he commanded Battery A. The 154th served in Alaska, Aleutian Islands, he was transferred to the Battalion Staff as S-2 and worked with the ADAK Intelligence Operation. The Field Artillery unit returned to the United States, assigned at Camp Dorn, Mississippi, Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In April 1945 the unit participated in President Roosevelt’s Funeral Procession in Washington, D.C. On June 18, 1945 the 154th Field Artillery moved back to Fort Bragg, North Carolina then to the Philippine Islands in preparation of the advance to Japan. The war ended that year and the 154th was deactivated in the Philippines. Colonel Bennett was reassigned to Command Company L, 145th Infantry Regiment of the 37th Division and was separated from active service on May 27, 1946 completing over five and a half years on active duty.

Returning to Kansas, he was a member of the United States Army Reserve. On July 1, 1947 the 130th Armored Field Artillery was organized in Hutchinson, Kansas and he was assigned as Battalion Commander. He commanded the Battalion for fourteen years, relinquishing command in 1961. He was also the Station Commander in Hutchinson for ten years, form 1951 to 1961. He transferred to the United States Army Reserve on September 1, 1961 and retired on April 5, 1971 as a Colonel. He ended his career with over thirty six years of military service to his credit.





			COL JOHN W. BENNETT
	Colonel Bennett was born on April 6, 1911 in Hutchinson, Kansas. He began his military Career by enlisting in Battery C, 1st Battalion, 130th Field Artillery Kansas Army National Guard on October 17, 1929. As a private his military duty consisted of caring for the unit’s horses, which pulled the gun carriages for the unit’s French 75mm Guns. He was activateD with that unit for World War II in December 1940 and was assigned to Battery B and Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. The unit mobilized to Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Arkansas and participated with the 35th Division in the Louisiana Maneuvers in 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the 130th was sent to California as part of the Western Defense Command and he was reassigned to Battery D, 2nd Battalion 130th Field Artillery as Battery Commander. The unit was reorganized into the 154th Field Artillery and he commanded Battery A. The 154th served in Alaska, Aleutian Islands, he was transferred to the Battalion Staff as S-2 and worked with the ADAK Intelligence Operation. The Field Artillery unit returned to the United States, assigned at Camp Dorn, Mississippi, Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In April 1945 the unit participated in President Roosevelt’s Funeral Procession in Washington, D.C. On June 18, 1945 the 154th Field Artillery moved back to Fort Bragg, North Carolina then to the Philippine Islands in preparation of the advance to Japan. The war ended that year and the 154th was deactivated in the Philippines. Colonel Bennett was reassigned to Command Company L, 145th Infantry Regiment of the 37th Division and was separated from active service on May 27, 1946 completing over five and a half years on active duty. Returning to Kansas, he was a member of the United States Army Reserve. On July 1, 1947 the 130th Armored Field Artillery was organized in Hutchinson, Kansas and he was assigned as Battalion Commander. He commanded the Battalion for fourteen years, relinquishing command in 1961. He was also the Station Commander in Hutchinson for ten years, form 1951 to 1961. He transferred to the United States Army Reserve on September 1, 1961 and retired on April 5, 1971 as a Colonel. He ended his career with over thirty six years of military service to his credit. In his years with the National Guard, Colonel Bennett was legendary in his leadership and insistence on adherence to standards. The Hutchinson Armory Complex is testament to his foresight, tireless effort and supervision of construction and maintenance. He is considered a benefactor to many organizations and is widely recognized for his generosity to organizations and institutions. He is a significant contributor to the Museum of the Kansas National Guard. He is also a major contributor of time and money in the construction of the Hutchinson Cosmosphere, a world class restoration and display site for space artifacts and is rated the number one tourist attraction in Kansas. Hs also maintain his live membership in numerous organizations and associations. His numerous awards and decorations include; The Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with one Battle Star, The American Service Medal, American Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two Ten-Year devices, and State ribbons signifying over 30 Years Service. Other awards and recognitions are: The Historical Society of the Militia and National Guard Award, The honorable Order of Saint Barbara, 35th Division Artillery Award for Excellence and Many other commendations. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame, 4 November 2001.