Illinois Bicentennial: Artie Bennett From DeWitt County

From Crang-Bennett American Legion Post 103, Clinton, Illinois.

Crang-Bennett American Legion Post 103 is named after    Crang and Artie Bennett, two Americans from Clinton, Illinois who died in World War I.

Artie Bennett entered the Marine Corps on May 21, 1917.    He was with the 82nd Company 6th Regiment U.S. Marines and landed at Brest, France,  November 19, 1917.  On June 8, 1918, while forcing the enemy from their positions, the company encountered  much enemy gunfire.    Private Bennett was severely wounded while attacking enemy machine gun nests.  He died one hour later.

This was the first death from Dewitt County, Illinois, caused by enemy fire.  Private Bennett was later buried at American Cemetery Belleau, Aisne, France.