- Donald Bennett, formerly of Harriettsville, Ohio, and now of Marietta, will celebrate his 102nd birthday today. (Photo Provided)
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- Donald Bennett is turning 102 today. He is a veteran of the United States Marines, joining in 1942 and spent a few years as a 30-cal machine gunner in World War II in a number of battles in the Pacific against the Empire of Japan. (Photo Provided)
Donald Bennett, formerly of Harriettsville, Ohio, and now of Marietta, will celebrate his 102nd birthday today. (Photo Provided)
HARRIETTSVILLE — A Harriettsville, Ohio, man who served as a Marine in the Pacific during World War II will be celebrating his 102nd birthday today.
Donald Bennett was born to Blanch and Lee Bennett at their home in Cambridge, Ohio, on June 13, 1922.
Bennett grew up in Cambridge and went to Cambridge High school, where he dropped out after breaking his leg his sophomore year. He then went on to join the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work relief program, to build roads in Three Creek, Idaho.
After WWII started, Bennett volunteered to go to war and joined the Marines in 1942. Bennett spent the next few years as a 30-cal machine gunner with the Marines engaging in several battles, some of which were close calls on his life. During this time, Bennett was hospitalized due to diphtheria, a serious infection caused by bacteria. He was in Japan when the treaty was signed ending the war.
After being discharged in 1945, he got a job working with the Pennsylvania Railroad. Bennett married his wife, Mabel Walker, in 1947, and they have been married for 77 years since.
Donald Bennett is turning 102 today. He is a veteran of the United States Marines, joining in 1942 and spent a few years as a 30-cal machine gunner in World War II in a number of battles in the Pacific against the Empire of Japan. (Photo Provided)
He later left his railroad job and bought a general store in Harriettsville where they moved in 1953. Bennett started working at the Airolite factory in Marietta in 1954, where he worked for 33 years before he retired in 1987. The Bennetts sold their business, which was mostly operated by his wife Mabel, to build their family home in 1960.
The Bennetts have raised four daughters, Linda Warner (Donald) of Lower Salem who are now both deceased, Dawn Michael (Dave) of Marietta, Judy Parks (Bob) of Caldwell and Sherry Shively and friend Chuck Meeks of Marietta.
Bennett said he is proud of his daughters and their accomplishments in life. The Bennetts have five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
The family will celebrate his birthday with an open house, on June 22, from 1-4 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Twin Rivers Baptist Church, Whipple, Ohio.
Cards can be sent to Bennett at 401 Harmer St., Marietta, OH 45750.