Roy J. Bennett was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War at the 70th Annual Encampment, held at Columbus, Ohio, August 19-24, 1951.

He was the grandson of a James Wilfred Bennett, who served in Co. C, 2nd Vermont Vol. Inf., who was wounded at the Battle of Antietam and held prisoner at Belle Island, which caused his death.

Brother Bennett held office continually in the Order over a period of 20 years, serving as Commander of Iowa’s Grenville M. Dodge Camp 75 for three terms, Iowa Department Commander and Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief.

He served as Assistant Adjutant of Des Moines’ Crocker GAR Post 12 for ten years and had the sad duty of closing the post.

Brother Bennett was a partner of Des Moines’ Standard Machine & Die Co. for 17 years, eventually becoming sole owner. He was a member of Masonic Capital Lodge 110, A.F.& A.M. and Des Moines Chapter No. 89, Order of the Eastern Star.

From an article in the September 1951 Banner

July 2007, Submitted by PCinC Steve Michaels