Bennett was educated in Brooklyn's public and parochial schools. He was an alumnus of St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights. Bennett enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in France during World War I as a member of the 77th Infantry Division's 308th Infantry Regiment. He also served as state commander of the American Legion.Bennett Reported M'Cooey Candidate; State Legion Head Is Said to Be His Choice for Nomination for Attorney General, New York Times, September 19, 1930
