Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to half-staff from sunrise to sunset tomorrow (Saturday) to mark the burial of a fallen World War II soldier. Cpl. Ralph L. Bennett, of Ames, died on June 13, 1944 during the siege of Myitkyina, Burma. Bennett was reported as killed in action following the battle. His remains were eventually transferred to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1949 and identified in 2018. Bennett’s military honors include the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with a bronze service star, WWII Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and Honorable Service Lapel Button. He will be buried with full military honors on Saturday, Aug. 3 at the Ames Municipal Cemetery with a memorial service beginning at 11 a.m. Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building, flag displays in the Capitol Complex and on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect. A link to Bennett’s obituary can be found included with this story on our website.
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Click HERE for Cpl. Ralph L Bennett Obituary
