Dennis Schoen, a 1957 graduate of Bennett H.S., played four years of football at Bennett. The 1956 edition of Tiger football claimed a tie for the League II crown when they defeated previously undefeated and defending champion East, 6 – 0. Schoen sparkled in this showdown game by rushing for 72 yards on 10 carries, for an outstanding 7.2 yards per attempt. Showing his versatility in the Kensington game, Dennis caught a 75 yard touchdown pass from Billy Hedger. It turned out to be the lone score against the arch rival Knights. After East claimed revenge against the Tigers in a special playoff game, Bennett qualified for the 3rd place game on Thanksgiving Day. Schoen and his teammates went out as winners in their final game of the year, as they edged McKinley 9 – 6 on the gridiron of venerable All-High Stadium. In addition to his football exploits, Schoen continued on his path to future leadership by serving as varsity basketball manager during his junior year.
Upon graduation from Bennett, Schoen attended Western Kentucky University and attained a B.S. degree. After college, he married and began an illustrious service career in the United States Marines. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was stationed at various posts in the USA that included Camp Lejeune, NC; Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA; OIC Recruiting Station, Minneapolis, MN; Fort Benning, GA; Quantico, VA; Headquarters Marine Corps, Arlinton, VA and on the Navy staff at the Pentagon. Overseas, numerous assignments took him to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Phillipines, Okinawa, and the Republic of Vietnam. During his service in Vietnam, Schoen participated in 7 combat operations against Communist Insurgents and North Vietnamese Regular Army Forces in the I Corps Tactical Zone of RVN. Schoen is a graduate of the Marine Corps Basic School, the Advanced Infantry Course, Fort Benning, GA, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, as well as several other military schools that include Nuclear Weapons Course. In 1977, Schoen received an MA degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University. His list of military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, the RVN
Unit Gallantry Cross, and the RVN Campaign Medal. Schoen retired after 20 years of service at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Schoen and his wife Susie will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 2, 2012. They have a son Craig ( Suzy ), and a daughter Michele ( Michael ), and four beautiful granddaughters, Samantha,Jayme, Madison and Gabriella.
All Bennettonians, past and present are indebted to Dennis Schoen, for his service to our country.