Bennett Bielema was born on December 10, 1914 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Henry Bielema and Sadie Huizinga Bielema. Bennett served in the US Army as a Private during World War II. He died on October 1, 1944 at the age of 29 in Italy and is now buried in the Florence American Cemetery, Impruneta, Italy. A member of the 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment, his unit was cited for outstanding performance of duty in action during the period 27 September to 3 October 1944 at Mt. Battaglia, Italy against German forces. For seven days, amidst powerful counterattacks, the men of the battalion repulsed each attack with fighting ability and teamwork, therefore, their objective was accomplished.