Tony,

There was a U.S. World War II destroyer named USS BENNETT (DD-473). She was named after Floyd Bennett, an early aviator and Arctic explorer, so would not have been referred to as "E C BENNETT" or "G C BENNETT." BENNETT was commissioned 9 February 1943 and served in the Pacific. According to the Dictionary of American Fighting Ships, "On 5 August [1943], she stood out to sea [from Hawaii] with three Army transports bound for Australia. The destroyer took leave of the transports at New Caledonia ..." (See http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b5/bennett-i.htm.) This seems like a fairly good match with your information.

Among merchant ships there was a FLOYD BENNETT, a JAMES GORDON BENNETT (therefore possibly referred to as J G BENNETT), and a RISDEN TYLER BENNETT, all Liberty ships.

Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Armed Guard / Merchant Marine website
www.armed-guard.com