Henry Oliver Hansen
| Henry Oliver Hansen | |
|---|---|
 Hansen as a paratrooper in 1942 | |
| Born |
December 14, 1919 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died |
March 1, 1945 (aged 25) KIA Iwo Jima |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1938–1945 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines |
| Battles/wars |
Bougainville Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards |
Purple Heart Medal Combat Action Ribbon |
Henry Oliver "Hank" Hansen (December 14, 1919 – March 1, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps sergeant who was killed in action during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.
He was one of the members of the combat patrol that climbed, captured, and actually raised the first of two American flags and flagstaffs on top of Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. He was for a time, incorrectly identified as being one of the six second flag raisers on Mount Suribachi in the world famous photograph taken the same day by Associated Press photorapher, Joe Rosenthal.
Early life
Hansen was born in Somerville, Massachusetts, with one sister and three brothers. He graduated from Somerville High School in 1938 and joined the Marine Corps.
U.S. Marine Corps
Left to right: 1st Lt. Harold G. Schrier (crouched behind radioman), Pfc. Raymond Jacobs (radioman), Sgt. Henry "Hank" Hansen (soft cap, holding flag pipe), Pvt. Phil Ward (helmeted, holding lower pipe with both hands, Platoon Sgt. Ernest Thomas (seated), PhM2c John Bradley, USN (helmeted, standing above Thomas with right hand securing the pipe), Pfc. James Michels (holding M1 carbine), and Cpl. Charles W. Lindberg (standing above Michels).
World War II
Hansen volunteered for the Paramarines which were formed in 1942 and became a Marine parachutist. He fought in the Bougainville Campaign in 1943. In February 1944, the Paramarines were disbanded and he was transferred to Third Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California.
Iwo Jima
Hansen landed with the 5th marine Division on Iwo Jima, on February 19, 1945. He landed with his company and battalion at the southern end of Iwo Jima where Mount Suribachi is located. During the morning of February 23, he was one of members of the 40-man patrol led by First Lieutenant Harold Schrier who had taken over the command of the Third Platoon, Company E, that climbed to the top of Mount Suribachi and raised the first American flag attached on a steel water pipe on the summit and were photographed afterwards by Marine Corps photographer Staff Sergeant Lou Lowery.[1]
The first flag pipe with the flag was replaced about or over two hours later on February 23 with a larger flag attached onto another pipe. The larger replacement flag and pipe was raised by five Marines and a Navy corpsman. The photograph of the second flag raising by Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press became world famous.
Schrier ordered Third Platoon Sergeant Ernest Thomas after the flag raisings to go down Mount Suribachi on February 25 and report to Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner and Lieutenant General Holland Smith aboard the flagship USS Eldorado (AGC-11). During a news broadcast aboard ship, Thomas named Hansen as one of the actual flag-raisers besides Lt. Schrier and himself.
Hansen was killed in action on Iwo Jima, on March 1, and Thomas on March 3. Three of the second flag raisers were also killed. The battle of Iwo jima officially ended on March 26, 1945.
There became a disagreement after the battle over the identity of the Marine at the base of the second flag and flag pipe in the famous photograph of the second flag-raising. Of the three surviving second flag-raisers from Company E, 2/28 Marines, Rene Gagnon (company messenger) and John Bradley (Third Platoon corpsman) had initially identified this person as Hansen (Third Platoon), while Pfc. Ira Hayes (Second Platoon) identified this person as Cpl. Harlon Block (Second Platoon) whom he fought side by side with. But as the Marine Corps had already announced that Hansen had been one of the second flag-raisers, Hayes, Gagnon and Bradley were told to say nothing.[2]
In February 1947, a six-month Congressional investigation initiated by Block's parent's congressman after Hayes contacted Block's father in 1946, concluded that the Marine identified as Hansen was actually Block.
Lowery's photos of the first flag on Mount Suribachi weren't released until late 1947.
Burial
Sgt. Hansen is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific near Honolulu on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.[3]
Military awards
Hansen's military decorations and awards include:
- Purple Heart Medal
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Presidential Unit Citation with 5⁄16 silver battle star
- Good Conduct Medal
- American Defense Service Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two 3⁄16 bronze stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Parachutist Badge (silver type)
- Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle)
Public recognition
The Henry O. Hansen Memorial Park, in his home town of Somerville, was named in his honor in June 2004.[4]
Portrayal in film
Hank Hansen is featured in the 2006 Clint Eastwood movie Flags of Our Fathers, where he is played by American actor Paul Walker. The movie is based on the book of the same title.