Bernard Bennett passed away December 19, 2019 in West Palm Beach, FL; he was 100 years old.

A native of Washington DC, he attended the USNA and was a member of the historic class that graduated in three years due to WWII. While at the academy, he played goalie on the soccer team. Bernard had two siblings, Norman Bennett who also graduated from the USNA, and Stanley Bennett.

Upon graduation, he served on the USS Indiana and later went on to become a Navy pilot. He served in the Pacific during the war as a Lt. Commander.

Bernard was an entrepreneur, owning a mercury mine in Mexico and a hotel in Orlando, FL. He was also a successful businessman, serving as a senior executive with the Exchange National Bank of Chicago and partner in a major Washington DC construction business. While living in Mexico City, he served as the Council General of Sénégal.

The Bernard Bennett Language Award, which he endowed, is given each year to the student that maintained the highest Spanish GPA for three years while at the USNA.

He wrote two books titled "Cacique" and "Mexico From Within", both inspired by his thirty years living in Mexico City. Travel was a big part of his life and he circled the globe several times. From 1985-1987, he was the National President of the Navy League of the United States.

Bernard was an avid water-skier and loved tennis, golf and badminton. His love for vanilla milkshakes, Mexican rolls and chicken parmesan was second to none.

He had two sons, Shawn and Gregory, as well as a daughter-in-law, Julie.

Bernard will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in June 2020.