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.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 269445
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.”
Memorials
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.
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.
Was declared dead in 1946, not 1945.