AH2: The Story of Larry Bennett

One of the most remarkable things about exploring World War II is the vast amount of personal histories that can be found.  For the next few weeks, we will be following the story of Larry Bennett, a Detroit native who served in the United States Army in the European Theatre.  Your blog post each week will be a reaction to his diary entries.  As you go through each week, be sure to consider, among other things, how Bennett's entries personalize the war for you.

This week:

June 1942

After completion of the first half of the 12^th grade at Edwin Denby High School in Detroit, Michigan, I started my vocation.  I applied for a defense job at Carboly Company on East 8 Mile Road, Warren, Michigan.  I was a cutter grinder on the afternoon shift.

July 1942

Purchased my first car, a 1937 Pontiac 4 door sedan (green).  Working afternoons.

August 1942

Continued working afternoons.

September 1942

Back to school, Edwin Denby H.S. for my last term and also working afternoons (full-time), a full day.  I begain seeing Betty Rendell working as a hall guard in front of the school library.  She was also in my first aid class and the driver education class “Ma in the Motor Car.”

December 25, 1942

Christmas at home with family.

December 26, 1942

First date with Betty Rendell, went to the Dawn Theater on Gratiot Avenue in Detroit to see Holiday Inn.  This was a double date with Betty Gable (cousin) and Bob Kruger.

December 31, 1942

Betty Rendell’s 18^th birthday.

January 3, 1943

Betty Rendell and I went tobogganing at Green Glen with some of my friends, Ed Miesch, Bob Kruger, Jean Kruger, etc.  It was fun and we had a great time.

January 10, 1943

Betty and I went ice skating at Belle Isle with Betty Gable and Bob Kruger on the canals.  This was one of my favorite things to do in the winter.  I really enjoyed ice skating.

January 22, 1943

Cap and Gown Day was our special day at Edwin Denby High School in Detroit, Michigan on Kelly Road.  Betty and I were able to share this fun time.

January 25, 1943

This was our class party day which we spent ice skating at Belle Isle.  A great time.

January 28, 1943

Graduation Day from Denby, again Betty and I were able to share this occasion.  My 1A classification was received in the mail from Uncle Sam but my mom (Grace L. Bennett) held this information from me until after the graduation ceremony.  Betty came back to my home (14033 Park Grove, Detroit, Michigan) and Mom prepared dessert.

January 30, 1943

This was the date for our Class Prom.  Betty Rendell was my date during a wonderful evening at the Statler Hotel in downtown Detroit.  I asked Betty to go steady and she accepted.  I was excited and was looking forward to a great relationship with her.  World conditions did not look good.  We were at war with both Japan and Germany/Italy.  With my 1A classification, I was sure to be drafted.

February 2, 1943

My preliminary physical examination for the draft was taken at Dr. Russell G. Cushing located at 13424 Gratiot Avenue in Detroit, Michigan at 2 PM.

February 8, 1943

Betty started taking college classes at Wayne University in Detroit, Michigan.

February 21, 1943

Betty and I went to the Builders Show at Convention Hall on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan.

February 28, 1943

Had a date with Betty, we went bowling.

March 8, 1943

Received my United States Army induction papers.  A.S.N. 36586414.

March 9, 1943

Bob Kruger (Park Grove friend) left for Camp Custer, Michigan.

March 17, 1943

Had my U.S. Army physical taken at a large warehouse on East Jefferson Avenue near downtown Detroit.  Terminated my employment at Carboly Company where I worked as a cutter grinder since June 1942 on defense work located on East 8 Mile Road, Warren, Michigan.

March 21, 1943

My mother (Grace Bennett) had all her relatives to the house (14033 Park Grove) to celebrate my 19^th birthday and bid me farewell and good luck in the Army.

March 24, 1943

The family, Mom, Dad, Elaine, Ron, and Betty, took me to the Michigan Central Station on West Vernor Highway and Fort Street in Detroit.  We said goodbyes.  A very emotional time for me.  Boarded the troop train with many other young men in the same situation, all strangers, and taken to Fort Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan, where we were inducted into the U.S. Army.  We were processed, clothing, etc., and assigned to units.  Stayed here for two days.  Experiencing a different kind of living.

March 26, 1943

Boarded a troop train and we were taken to Little Rock, Arkansas, Camp Robinson, for Basic Training.  Betty and I have now been steady for three months, but miles apart.

DUE FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12