LUGOFF - Col. James A. Bente, United States Army (Ret’d), 78, died Thursday, August 14, 2008. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 16, 1930, he was a son of the late Alvin Henry Heinrich Herman Bente and Edna Martha Schierbaum Bente. He received his Masters in Business Administration with the discipline of Comptrollership from Syracuse University. Col. Bente retired from the United States Army in 1982 after 30 years having served in Vietnam from 1970 – 1971. He received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 DVC, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal with Palm. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia Louise Ralston Bente. He had three children; four grandchildren; and a cousin, Brian Aring and his wife, Louise of Aiken.