Raymond Eugene Bennett was born and raised in Bangor/Brewer, Maine. At Bangor High School, he was an ROTC leader. He entered active service in the US Army from the reserve corps as a 2nd Lt. in August, 1941. From December, 1942, he served during World War II in England, N. Africa, Italy, France and Germany. He participated in the invasion of Southern France, landing on August 15, 1944.
Ray earned the French Croix de Guerre and the American Bronze Star medal, among others. Major General David G. Barr, Chief of Staff in General Jacob L. Devers' 6th Army Group, awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The Croix de Guerre citation, describing censorship and press liaison missions with the First French Army, said, "Having landed with the forces of the French Army, he followed them from the coast of Southern France to Lake Constance (Germany) and never hesitated to accompany war correspondents in their most dangerous missions. During the Colmar battle, he went several times to places of fierce fighting, showing a high moral value and great courage."
By the end of the war, he was 6th Army Group, Chief Press Censor, with the rank of Major. He later became the head of the Army-Air Force Motion Picture Service. He closed out his Army career as a recruiting officer, and retired in 1961. After retirement, he worked for the Hilton Hotel in Paris, for 10 years. He lived out his retirement years at the d'Astier family's Chateau de Rançay, in Niherne, France.
From his first marriage to Thelma Bickford, in Bangor/Brewer, Maine, he had two sons. After the war, he married, Guillemette d'Astier de la Vigerie. He had a second family in France with 6 additional children, 4 sons and 2 daughters. His retirement years were spent primarily in France.
During retirement, Ray was a very active leader in the American Legion Post #1 in Paris. He was Post Commander 7 times; and was buried in the American Legion Mausoleum at the Cemetery at Neuilly, on November 27, 2001.
Ray earned the French Croix de Guerre and the American Bronze Star medal, among others. Major General David G. Barr, Chief of Staff in General Jacob L. Devers' 6th Army Group, awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The Croix de Guerre citation, describing censorship and press liaison missions with the First French Army, said, "Having landed with the forces of the French Army, he followed them from the coast of Southern France to Lake Constance (Germany) and never hesitated to accompany war correspondents in their most dangerous missions. During the Colmar battle, he went several times to places of fierce fighting, showing a high moral value and great courage."
By the end of the war, he was 6th Army Group, Chief Press Censor, with the rank of Major. He later became the head of the Army-Air Force Motion Picture Service. He closed out his Army career as a recruiting officer, and retired in 1961. After retirement, he worked for the Hilton Hotel in Paris, for 10 years. He lived out his retirement years at the d'Astier family's Chateau de Rançay, in Niherne, France.
From his first marriage to Thelma Bickford, in Bangor/Brewer, Maine, he had two sons. After the war, he married, Guillemette d'Astier de la Vigerie. He had a second family in France with 6 additional children, 4 sons and 2 daughters. His retirement years were spent primarily in France.
During retirement, Ray was a very active leader in the American Legion Post #1 in Paris. He was Post Commander 7 times; and was buried in the American Legion Mausoleum at the Cemetery at Neuilly, on November 27, 2001.
Raymond Eugene Bennett was born and raised in Bangor/Brewer, Maine. At Bangor High School, he was an ROTC leader. He entered active service in the US Army from the reserve corps as a 2nd Lt. in August, 1941. From December, 1942, he served during World War II in England, N. Africa, Italy, France and Germany. He participated in the invasion of Southern France, landing on August 15, 1944.
Ray earned the French Croix de Guerre and the American Bronze Star medal, among others. Major General David G. Barr, Chief of Staff in General Jacob L. Devers' 6th Army Group, awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The Croix de Guerre citation, describing censorship and press liaison missions with the First French Army, said, "Having landed with the forces of the French Army, he followed them from the coast of Southern France to Lake Constance (Germany) and never hesitated to accompany war correspondents in their most dangerous missions. During the Colmar battle, he went several times to places of fierce fighting, showing a high moral value and great courage."
By the end of the war, he was 6th Army Group, Chief Press Censor, with the rank of Major. He later became the head of the Army-Air Force Motion Picture Service. He closed out his Army career as a recruiting officer, and retired in 1961. After retirement, he worked for the Hilton Hotel in Paris, for 10 years. He lived out his retirement years at the d'Astier family's Chateau de Rançay, in Niherne, France.
From his first marriage to Thelma Bickford, in Bangor/Brewer, Maine, he had two sons. After the war, he married, Guillemette d'Astier de la Vigerie. He had a second family in France with 6 additional children, 4 sons and 2 daughters. His retirement years were spent primarily in France.
During retirement, Ray was a very active leader in the American Legion Post #1 in Paris. He was Post Commander 7 times; and was buried in the American Legion Mausoleum at the Cemetery at Neuilly, on November 27, 2001.
Ray earned the French Croix de Guerre and the American Bronze Star medal, among others. Major General David G. Barr, Chief of Staff in General Jacob L. Devers' 6th Army Group, awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The Croix de Guerre citation, describing censorship and press liaison missions with the First French Army, said, "Having landed with the forces of the French Army, he followed them from the coast of Southern France to Lake Constance (Germany) and never hesitated to accompany war correspondents in their most dangerous missions. During the Colmar battle, he went several times to places of fierce fighting, showing a high moral value and great courage."
By the end of the war, he was 6th Army Group, Chief Press Censor, with the rank of Major. He later became the head of the Army-Air Force Motion Picture Service. He closed out his Army career as a recruiting officer, and retired in 1961. After retirement, he worked for the Hilton Hotel in Paris, for 10 years. He lived out his retirement years at the d'Astier family's Chateau de Rançay, in Niherne, France.
From his first marriage to Thelma Bickford, in Bangor/Brewer, Maine, he had two sons. After the war, he married, Guillemette d'Astier de la Vigerie. He had a second family in France with 6 additional children, 4 sons and 2 daughters. His retirement years were spent primarily in France.
During retirement, Ray was a very active leader in the American Legion Post #1 in Paris. He was Post Commander 7 times; and was buried in the American Legion Mausoleum at the Cemetery at Neuilly, on November 27, 2001.
Inscription
Memorial wall lists "Raymond E. Bennett"
