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Nyal Hogan Bennett

Corporal Nyal H. Bennett served with Able Company, First Battalion, 4th Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Corregidor on 6 May 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 269445

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains not recovered.

Pursuit Category

The DPAA has not publicized this information

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

September 22, 1918
at Pryor, OK

Parents

Allen Ross Bennett
Margaret Maude “Maggie” Bennett

Education

Details unknown

Occupation & Employer

Details unknown

Service Life

Entered Service

December 12, 1938
at Denver, CO

Home Of Record

Farmington, AR

Next Of Kin

Mother, Mrs. Maggie Bennett

Military Specialty

Primary Unit

A/1/4th Marines

Campaigns Served

Philippine Islands / Corregidor

Individual Decorations

Bronze Star (unconfirmed)
Purple Heart
Prisoner of War Medal

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Corporal Nyal Bennett, a pre-war “China Marine,” participated in the defense of the Philippine Islands and the battle of Corregidor as a member of Company A, 4th Marines.

At some point during the siege of Corregidor – or possibly during the final Japanese assault – Corporal Hogan was seriously wounded in action and brought to the overworked medical facility at Malinta Tunnel. He was last known to be at the hospital when Japanese forces overwhelmed the garrison on 6 May 1942.

Burial Information or Disposition

Bennett’s final fate is not known for certain. Some sources indicated that he was taken prisoner; a contemporary personnel roll mentions a report that he was held at Old Bilibid Prison, and Bennett was posthumously awarded the Prisoner of War Medal.

Nyal was ultimately declared dead on 7 January 1946.

Note: Karen Bennett recalled conversations with veterans who knew Nyal. One man remembered that Nyal was beaten to death by Japanese troops because his wounds rendered him “of no use.”

Muster roll of the Missing Persons Detachment, HQ USMC, January 1946.

Next Of Kin Address

Mailing address of mother, Mrs. Maggie Bennett.

Location Of Loss

Bennett was last seen in the hospital at Malinta Tunnel, Corregidor.

Related Profiles

Members of the 4th Marines lost at Corregidor, 6 May 1942.
First Battalion
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2 thoughts on “Nyal H. Bennett”

  1. Nyal Hogan Bennett had been wounded and was in the in the Malinta Tunnel hospital when the Japanese overtook Corregidor. He was never heard from again and declared dead in1945. His remains were never found. About 35 -40 years ago I spoke with two survivors and they remembered Nyal. One even remembered he had blond hair. One said since he was of no use because of his wounds the Japanese beat him to death. Regardless, he never made it off Corregidor and died there.

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