BENNETT, Thomas Charles - Vietnam
Source: The Neighbor, December 10, 2007, pg A3
COVINGTON — Thomas Charles
Sidwell Bennett was born in Chicago, Illinois September 9, 1936 to Thomas John
and Helen Simon Bennett. He was freed from his earthly bonds at 7:21 a.m. on
December 7, 2007 at his St. Peters, Mo., home after a lengthy illness. Tom grew
up on a farm near Veedersburg and attended Rabb Grade School. In 1954, he
graduated from Covington High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University in 1958, and a Master of
Science degree in Aerospace Management from University of Southern California
in 1969. While at Purdue, he was a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, an
ROTC cadet in Air Force Detachment 220 and served as Cadet Commander of the
Ivan C. Kincheloe Squadron of Arnold Air Society. He also earned his private
pilot's license. Upon graduation from Purdue in 1958, Tom was commissioned as
an officer in the U. S. Air Force. He received his silver wings at Laredo AFB,
Texas in 1960. He started as an F-86 pilot, but spent the majority of his
career assigned to air refueling aircraft. He served three tours in Southeast
Asia during the Vietnam War. In 1972, Tom returned from Thailand to become
Commandant of Cadets for the ROTC program at Purdue University, where he served
for three years. While most of his 26 year career was spent flying, Tom served
three years as Commander of a Computer Services Squadron, and also worked on
the B2 stealth bomber program. He finished his career as Commander of the
National Emergency Airborne Command Post, supporting the President of the
United States and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Tom attained the rank of Colonel
before his retirement in 1985. During his career, Tom earned the Bronze Star
Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Air
Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit
Award with Valor Device and five Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness Medal,
National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service
Stars, Air Force Longevity Service, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with
Palm Device, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After retiring from
the Air Force, Tom raised beef cattle and hay for 20 years on a farm near
Veedersburg. He was a member of Covington United Methodist Church, served as
president of Veedersburg Lions Club, received the 1989 Fountain County Soil and
Water Conservation District Outstanding Conservation Achievement Award,
delivered the Covington High School Class of 1992 commencement address, and
spoke on national defense topics to numerous clubs and many Memorial Day and
Veterans Day gatherings. In 2005, Tom retired from farming after a heart attack
and subsequent stroke. Tom moved to St. Peters, Mo., in 2006. Tom married
Virginia Shelby, Oct. 11, 1958. She survives with three sons: Brian (Jan) of
St. Peters, Mo.; Daniel (Tracey) of Keller, Texas; and Tom (Stacy) of
Carterville, Ill.; and two daughters: Karen Bennett of St. Charles, Mo., and
Carolyn Alvey (David) of Richardson, Texas. He is also survived by 12
grandchildren; Brandon (Diana) Bennett; Mitchell Bennett; Kevin Bennett;
Allison Bennett; Jessica Bennett; Elizabeth Bennett; Caelin Bennett; Aaron
Bennett; Claire Bennett; Nicholas Alvey; Samuel Alvey; Nathan Alvey; one
great-grandson Braden Bennett; a brother Jerry (Joanne) Bennett of Covington;
four nephews; several cousins and innumerable friends. Family visitation was
held Sunday, December 9 at Baue Funeral & Memorial Center, St. Charles, Mo.
Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tue., December 11 at Shelby Funeral Home,
Covington. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wed., December 12 at Shelby Funeral
Home in Covington with Rev. Tom Hoehner officiating. Interment will follow at
Bend Cemetery. – jlr
