Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
HANSON, Tommie M - Date of
birth
7 July 1919 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Iowa -
Hometown
Butte County, California
Personal info
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