Bennington, VT News
Bennington WWII Airman Bernard F. Sweet Accounted For After 83 Years
Private First Class Bernard F. Sweet from Bennington, Vermont, has been accounted for after 83 years. He died in a Japanese POW camp during WWII and will be returned for military honors and burial in his hometown.
Private First Class Bernard F. Sweet, a 21-year-old airman from Bennington, Vermont, has been officially accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) after passing away in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp during World War II. His story is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by local heroes during the war.
Capture and Death
Pfc. Sweet was captured by Japanese forces following the fall of Corregidor Island on May 6, 1942, during the Philippines campaign. He was held at the Cabanatuan prisoner-of-war camp, where he died on October 20, 1942. His remains were initially buried in Common Grave 701 at the Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery.
Identification Process
After being interred as an “Unknown” in Manila, Pfc. Sweet’s identity was confirmed through detailed forensic identification. The DPAA announced that he was officially accounted for on August 14, 2025.
Return to Bennington
Pfc. Sweet will be returned to his hometown of Bennington for full military funeral honors and burial. The exact details of the funeral arrangements are yet to be announced, but the community is expected to come together to honor his memory.
Community Impact
The return of Pfc. Sweet’s remains is significant for local residents, as it provides closure to a long-standing chapter in the history of Bennington. The community will have the opportunity to pay their respects and honor a brave soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
For further updates on the funeral arrangements and community events surrounding Pfc. Sweet’s return, residents are encouraged to stay connected with local news outlets.
Sources
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
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