Bennie was best known at Oak Park for being the first student to win a trophy in any event, in the school's first year. He won the trophy in a drama contest. He planned to study drama in college, but instead, he thought he had a higher obligation to his country. He enlisted in the army and became a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne, the Screaming Eagles. He went to Vietnam and was in constant combat and was twice wounded.
He lost his life in action shortly after returning to his unit from the hospital. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, Paratrooper Wings, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation.
