View Full Version : My Friend- Bill Bennett
Kingfisher
09-12-2005, 09:41
Justed want to take a moment to honor SFC Bill Bennett and MSG Kevin Morehead. Both were KIA two years ago today in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. I went through the 18D course and was in 3/5 with these guys. They were great men and are missed very much. RIP brothers!
http://www.groups.sfahq.com/5th/bennett_william_5sfg.htm
http://www.groups.sfahq.com/5th/morehead_kevin_5sfg.htm
sharkmanII
09-12-2005, 11:55
I too worked with both of these great warriors and ditto on the "Great Men". I worked with Bill quite often and of course did the typical jump / MOS sustainment
training with Kevin. Fantastic Bro's, may you both RIP.
When I see the name I immediately think of another legend and friend of mine: Bill Bata Boot Bennet. Greatness must come with the name -- RIP!!
NousDefionsDoc
09-12-2005, 12:40
En Paz Descansen
aricbcool
09-12-2005, 17:55
RIP
longrange1947
09-19-2005, 17:17
When I see the name I immediately think of another legend and friend of mine: Bill Bata Boot Bennet. Greatness must come with the name -- RIP!!
He too came to my mind when I saw this post. --RIP!!
GreenSEAL
09-19-2005, 21:05
Bata Boot was a good friend...We did some things together...We did a real hairy op in Miami Beach in 66....LOL
Kingfisher
09-12-2006, 13:15
It's hard to believe that it has been 3 years since we lost Bill and Kevin. Both were great soldiers and I am proud to have served with them.
LongWire
09-24-2006, 12:46
Went to SFARTEAC with Bill.........hes probably one of the reasons I made it through since I injured my back while I was there..........One of The Best!!!!!!!
He is Missed.......
Nous Defions
x SF med
09-25-2006, 06:38
Peace Brothers, you are not forgotten.
Kingfisher
09-12-2007, 04:54
Just want to take a minute to remember Bill again on this day. The following is a letter a Professor wrote to Bill's wife and she forwarded it to me. I am posting it with her permission.
Dear ,
> My name is Brian W and I am a professor of History at the
> University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth who spent the summers of 2003 and
> 2005 in northern Afghanistan with the Uzbeks. While I was there I
> interviewed many people to find out what life was like under the Taliban
> and how they felt about liberation.
> In the process of my interviews I heard horror stories of teenage girls
> having their skulls crushed in public for various 'crimes' and of mass
> executions. When your husband's team destroyed the Uzbeks' Taliban
> oppressors they brought light to this dark region for the first time in
> years. Over and over again I was told stories by the Uzbek men who fought
> alongside ODA 595 of their truly amazing bravery and courage. While the
> word 'hero' have been over-used of late, those who told me the stories of
> your husband's bravery meant it. They all, including their commander
> General Dostum, loved your husband and all those in his team who they came
> to consider brothers and guardian angels.
> When I told several of them that Bill had died in Iraq they were
> devastated, General Dostum went into mourning as did several of the
> commanders who knew your husband. Their sadness was something powerful and
> I was made to promise that I would thank his family for saving them from
> the Taliban. Only this evening did I discover your husband's site and feel
> as if I can finally convey their prayers for you and their thanks to Bill.
> I know many of the Afghan people he saved on a personal basis. They are
> good people who live free now because of the miracle of bravery your
> husband pulled off in the fall of 2001.
> I am truly humbled to be able to belatedly convey the condolences of many
> people you do not know. I wanted to let you know that few people are given
> the opportunity to do as much good for others in their life as your
> husband did.
> You are in my prayers and in the prayers of many simple people in northern
> Afghanistan who are free today due to your husband's personal bravery.
> Thank you and God be with you. If I can share any further information with
> you I would be honored to do so,
> Sincerely yours,
> Brian
Thank you for sharing that Kingfisher. My condolences.
SFC Bill Bennett and MSG Kevin Morehead, may you continue to Rest in Peace.
I think it is really wonderful that the professor would take the time to write that letter. Gives me renewed faith in academia.
Kingfisher your friends were obviously amazing men. RIP
Most people don't know that it was Bill's hands, in surgical gloves, that were tending to the recently captured, American traitor and all around worthless POS John Walker Lindh when the CNN reporter took the photos. He made it through the invasion of Afghanistan, only to take one during the invasion of Iraq.
The man was a true patriot.
Funny.. I never met him.. but I'd heard so many SF guys who had talk about him in such a positive manner that I went to the unveiling ceremony for his Memorial Stone at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. It was there that I had a chance to see and meet his son, and to express my condolences to his widow.
Where do we find these fine young men...
Mosby Raider
10-01-2007, 18:15
RIP, Warriors.
The91Bravo
03-26-2008, 02:31
I am truly pleased to find this thread honoring such a great man. Bill and his family went to our church in Clarksville, and his death hit us all pretty hard.
I chose to write my book, in memory of Bill, and to honor the service of the men and women in our country's armed forces.
Bill will always be remembered by me, and when my book is published, 10% of all $$ that comes my way will go to the Wounded Warrior fund and Ch38 of the SFA.
The soldiers at 5th SFG have been incredible professionals in the research that was required to complete the book honorably. And I am very pleased to have these men as friends.
I was honored to call Bill a friend.
Sincerely,
Steve
Kingfisher
09-13-2011, 09:38
Never Forgotten.
greenberetTFS
09-13-2011, 16:05
God Bless,Rest in Peace Warrior.............:(
He was just a simple soldier and his ranks are growing thin
But his presence should remind us; we may need his like again,
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in the paper that might say:
OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY......:((author unknown)
The passing of our soldiers often go unnoticed and unsung by most of the world, remembered only by family and friends. Wish it were not so. ...:(
Big Teddy
OldNCranky
09-13-2011, 16:56
Brother, don't know if you are aware. 5th SFG (A) named the new shoot house on RG 51 on Fort Campbell, KY in honor of those brothers and a memorial stone was placed on site (don’t know the exact dates this happened it’s been a couple of years now).
I was deployed to the HOA when that mission went down in Iraq. During that deployment an old warrant designed a shoot house with Microsoft Visio and CORPS ENG built it for us. It is/was the five-story shoot house (completed and operational during that deployment) that was on the SOF compound on Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. I don’t know if it’s still standing (it was a couple years back I saw a photo of it from a fellow SF brother that had returned). That shoothouse was named and dedicated upon completion in their honor as well.
Kingfisher
09-12-2013, 08:20
Remembering two great warriors on this day. Hard to imagine it has been 10 years. Rest easy brothers.
Red Flag 1
09-12-2013, 10:49
Rest In God's Peace, Warriors.
Rest In Peace and thank you. I also saw Big Teddy's post, and remember his gentle humor and kind spirit.
Astronomy
09-14-2013, 22:19
I was never privileged to know Bill Bennet. Instead, I was part of the Casualty Notification Team that brought sad tidings to his Mother and Step-Dad.
Until that day, I had not cried since I was a child.
I thought of that warrior I never knew every time I saw his photo on the wall at SOTF-C and his name on the camp flagpole memorial plaque at Taji.
I remember him again...now. RIP Brother.
Rest in peace sir and prayers for your loved ones. My sincere condolences offered for those here that knew him.