In keeping with this year’s Festival theme, Hometown America - Keytesville Honors Our Heroes of the Armed Forces and the 10 Year Anniversary of 9-11, the Sterling Price Festival, Inc. Board of Directors has selected John Henry Bentley as the “Festival Honoree” , who distinguished himself by heroic achievement during World War II in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.

Bentley was born March 11, 1917 and grew up in the Keytesville area.  He enlisted in the army reserves in 1939 and upon completion of basic training at Camp Roberts in California returned to Keytesville.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor and entry of the United States into World War II, he joined the 9^th Field Artillery Battalion of the Third Infantry Division at Camp Roberts in California.  He fought in eight of the ten campaigns the Third Infantry Division fought in World War II.  The 3^rd Infantry Division was the only division to fight Germany on all fronts during WW II in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Germany and Austria.  Their days in combat numbered 531.

Corporal Bentley was wounded in the Tunisian campaign in North Africa.  After hospitalization he returned to 3^rd ID which landed on Sicily in July 1943 and by September was in Italy and then moved on to capture Rome. 

In August 1944 they landed in the invasion of Southern France where Bentley was awarded the Bronze Star Medal “for valorous conduct in action against the enemy.  At Aix en Provence, France on August 21, 1944, when Technician Fifth Grade Bentley’s 1-4 ton vehicle drew direct fire at a blown out bridge, his prompt and courageous actions saved four men, a vehicle, and essential O.P. equipment from destruction.”

The 3^rd ID fought through the Siegfried Line reaching the Rhine River in November, 1944.  They crossed the Rhine and overcame fanatical Nazi resistance and eventually captured Augsburg and Munich before the end of the war in June, 1945.

Upon his return from overseas Bentley was discharged from army service and he returned home to his wife Mildred and worked as a truck driver for his brother.  He went on to work for MODOT, retiring after 23 years.  His primary hobby is woodworking and is a true craftsmen with many wood replicas of classic automobiles nestled on tables and shelves throughout his house.

John and Mildred reside in Keytesville and have been married for 70 years.  They have one daughter, Glenus Jean, three grandchildren, four great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, all who live in Warrensburg, Missouri.