Army Rifleman James R. Bennett, wounded in France and Germany during World War II, later served Oak Lawn as a volunteer firefighter and part-time police officer

By Ben Singson
Jacksonville Journal-Courier

OAK LAWN, Ill. — A Purple Heart belonging to a World War II veteran from Illinois has been returned to his surviving family.

Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned the medal of Army Rifleman James R. Bennett to his niece, Patty Knies, during a Monday ceremony in his home of Oak Lawn.

James Bennett was wounded twice while fighting overseas — once on Aug. 13, 1944, in France and again on Dec. 13, 1944, in Germany. He returned home to his wife, Ann, in December 1945, where they made Oak Lawn their home for the rest of their lives. James Bennett served as a volunteer firefighter and part-time police officer for the community, also repairing toys for children with disabilities.

The Bennetts had their only child, Susan, a few years after the war. Susan Bennett suffered from encephalitis and developed severe disabilities as a result. She was not expected to survive past early childhood, but lived into her 50s.

After James and Ann Bennett died in 1990 and 1997, respectively, Knies became Susan Bennett’s legal guardian. James Bennett’s Purple Heart was found in an Oak Lawn safe deposit box; Knies said her aunt had never mentioned it before.

“He was such a wonderful man, and it is an honor to hold his Purple Heart,” Knies said. “So many soldiers and families suffered and sacrificed so much. It is important that they be remembered.”

James Bennett’s medal is the 17th returned to its owner as part of Operation Purple Heart, which Frerichs has been running since 2021.

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