Sgt. Joseph J. Bentz awarded the U.S. Silver Star January 14, 1949 The North Adams Transcript from North Adams, Massachusetts · Page 3 Bodies of Three North Adams Men Returned to U.S. From Philippines The bodies of three North Adams men who lost their lives in the invasion of the Philippines in 1945 are aboard the U. S. army transport Pendleton which docked today at San Francisco, the Department of the Army announced today. The men are Sgt. Joseph J. Bentz, Sgt. Henry Brooks, and Pvt. 1st Class Walter W. Kowalski. The bodies are among the 4,504 returned to this country aboard the Pendleton for final burial at the request of their families. A total of 74 are to be returned to Massachusetts. Sgt. J. 3. Bentz Sgt. Joseph J. Bentz was "killed in Manila, March 11, 1945. He enlisted in the army in June, 1943 and went overseas soon afterward. When he enlisted he was manager of the Highway Riding farm at Union, N. J. He was born in North Adams and moved to Adams with his family when two years old. The family lived on East road, Adams. He attended Adams schools. When 17 years old, he went to Union, N. J., where he lived until his enlistment. He left his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Bentz, who died last August, and a brother, John F. Bentz of 137 East Quincy street. Sgt. Sgt. Henry Brooks Henry Brooks was 33 years old when killed in action April 30, 1945, on the Philippine island of Luzon. He entered the service Sept. 8, 1943, and trained at Camp Crofts, S. C., Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Fort Ord, Cal., before going overseas in November, 1944. He was stationed in New Guinea before going to Luzon. He attended North Adams schools and was employed at the Strong, Hewat Company mill in Briggsville. He left his wife, Mrs. Phyllis Brooks, 51 Center street; a two-year-old daughter, Judith Ann; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Silas ;Brooks of Beaver street; two sisters, Mrs. Clyde Booth of Readsboro, Vt, and Mrs. Henry Sweeney of North Adams; and a brother, Ralph, of North Adams. Pvt. W. W. Kowalski Pvt. 1st Class Walter W. Kowalski was 28 when he was killed in action in the Philippines" in February, 1945. He was'the son of Mrs. Anna Petronick of East road, Adams. He entered the service in October, 1942. He attended St. Joseph's school and was employed by Strong, Hewat company of this city and the General Electric company plant in Pittsfield. He left his wife, Mrs. Rita Kowalski of 229 East Main street. ================================================================================= Valor Awards for Sgt. Joseph J. Bentz (ASN-32568939) Awarded for the actions the Shimbu Line 3/11/45 (posthumously) Valor awards for Joseph J. Bentz 1st Cavalry Division - World War II queued to Sgt Joseph J. Bentz reference "Troop A" attacking the Shimbu Line. 7th Cavalry at Antipolo - 1st Cavalry Division - Turner Publishing - 1st Cavalry Division: A Spur Ride Through the 20th Century edited by Herbert C. Banks 1st Cavalry Division Book of Honor - WWII BOH