Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
HANSON, Tommie M
Date of birth
7 July 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Iowa
Hometown
Butte County, California

Military service

Service number
39086262
Rank
Private First Class
Function
Gunner
Unit
33rd Armored Regiment,
3rd Armored Division
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
3 September 1944
Place of death
Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 8 9

Immediate family

Members
Thomas M. Hanson (father)
Olive M. (Benson) Hanson (mother)
Venetta L. (Jacobson) Hanson (sister)
Lester L. Hanson (brother)
Viola M. (Williams) Hanson (sister)
Leona E. (Collinson) Hanson (sister)
Opal (Pierce) Hanson (sister)
Allen D. Hanson (brother)
Verona Hanson (twin sister)
Juanita (Bockleman) Hanson (wife)

More information

Tommie Hanson had suffered an eye injury in March 1943, while serving in Africa and on 7 July 1944, on his 25th birthday, he was reported wounded in action when he suffered a a head injury. Both times, he rejoined his unit after recovering.

His parents received the following letter from his regimental commander:
"Your son, Tommie, who had been serving with this regiment since January, 1942, and during its campaigns in Normandy and Northern France, was killed in action in Belgium Sept 3, 1944. You have the deepest sympathy of the officers and men of this regiment in your bereavement. Tommie was held in high regard by all members of the command; he was a splendid soldier and an outstanding character. His loss is deeply felt by his many friends throughout the unit.
Religious services were held at the burial of your son, Pfc. Tommie M. Hanson, which took place in Belgium and where the grave is located.
As regimental commander, having in my charge many men, I can fully understand your grief and how deeply you feel the loss of your son. I wish to express my sincerest and heartfelt sympathy to you in this time of your sorrow. Your son was a brave, courageous and gallant soldier and his actions on the field of battle upheld the highest traditions of military service. His loss to the regiment is greatly felt by all though his actions will long be remembered and will serve as an inspiration to those with whom he served.
Please feel free to call upon me for any additional information you may desire. Most sincerely yours, John C. Welborn, Colonel, 33rd Armd. Regt. commanding"

He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Fosse, Belgium.

His brother, Cpl Allan Hanson, served with a medical detachment in a hospital in Corsica when he was killed.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, The Mason City Globe-Gazette - 29 July and 9 January, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil / 1910/1920 Census

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com