Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Bennett

Died January 11, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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23, of Clifton, Va.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 11 in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, as a result of a non-hostile incident.

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Star athlete appreciated Civil War history

The Associated Press

Daniel R. Bennett rooted for the Boston Red Sox and the Nationals. He also was a Civil War buff. “He could tell you what general went where and all about the battles,” said his mother, Veronica Bennett.

Bennett, 23, of Clifton, Va., died Jan. 11 after a non-hostile incident in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was a 2005 high school graduate and was assigned to Camp Lejeune, N.C.

“Dan loved the outdoors as a kid and spent much of his time fishing, hiking and playing team sports for local youth organizations,” said his brother, Dave.

In high school, he lettered in varsity lacrosse, football and wrestling. He was named the Most Improved Lacrosse Player in 2003 and was a Second Team All-League goalie. He also worked on the tech crew in the school’s drama department.

He served one tour in Iraq. “He was an expert marksman and was proud to carry on his family’s military tradition,” Dave Bennett said.

He also is survived by his father, James.

Before deploying for Afghanistan, Danny asked his girlfriend, Nicolle DiPasquale, to marry him. They became engaged in front of the Washington Monument on the National Mall.