WWII veteran and legendary singer Tony Bennett dies at 96
By
Miguel Ortiz
Updated on
Jul 21, 2023
SUMMARY
Before Tony Bennett had an impressive singing career, he served his country in WWII.
Tony Bennett is an icon of American music alongside the likes of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Known for traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes and jazz, Bennett earned 20 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards. With more than 50 million records sold worldwide, his legacy is well-established. Sadly, on July 21, 2023, Bennett passed away at the age of 96. Beyond his music, Bennett can also be remembered for his service in the U.S. Army during WWII.
Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, Bennett grew up in New York during the Great Depression. Listening to the music of Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby, he started singing at an early age. Although Bennett attended New York’s School of Industrial Art, he dropped out at the age of 16 to help support his family as a copy boy and runner for the Associated Press. Bennett also worked as a singing waiter and participated in amateur singing nights around the city.
In November 1944, three months after his 18th birthday, Bennett was drafted into the Army. He attended training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and Fort Robertson, Nebraska to serve as a rifleman in the infantry. In January 1945, Bennett was assigned to the 63rd Infantry Division’s 255th Infantry Regiment. The unit suffered heavy casualties during the Battle of the Bulge and Bennett was one of many replacements sent to bulk them back up.
https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-news/wwii-veteran-and-legendary-singer-tony-bennett-dies-at-96/