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2nd Lt. Hankin enlisted on 11 September 1942 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

On 20 June 1944, they led the group's low left squadron to bomb the heavily defended refineries at Politz. On the way to target just as they reached Rugen Island, they were attacked by enemy fighters. Kehoe recalls, "A loud explosion was my first indication that we had been hit. When I turned around the whole flight deck was in flames." His co-pilot left his seat to see if he could put the fire out. The whole plane was filled with smoke and for a time no one could see. Kehoe gave the order to bail but wasn't sure if the bell or intercom was working. As the smoke semi-cleared few minutes later, Kehoe discovered he was the only one left. Of the ten others who had bailed, only two, Grossman and Redmond were lucky enough to be picked up by German patrol boats near Sassnitz located towards the northern tip of Rugen Island. Lt. Hankin was found on 6 August 1944 in the Baltic Seaand buried at Sassnitz Cemetery in Rügen, Germany.

2nd Lt. Hankin entered the air corps in March, 1943, and was commissioned the following October at San Angelo, Texas. He graduated from North Division high school, and attended the University of Wisconsin, where he was affiliated with Pi Lambda Phi. While in high school he was president of the Junior Congregation of Temple Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun, and of TAG.