PFC Edgar Charles Hansler was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 18, 1922, to William Hansler and Anna Meadows-Hansler, and had a sister and a brother. The family resided at 1920 North 77th Court, Elmwood Park, Illinois. Edgar graduated from Elmwood Park School and since Elmwood Park was not in a high school district, he chose to attend Proviso Township High School as a member of the Class of 1941. After two years, he left school and went to work as a crane operator at Central Steel & Wire in Chicago.
On June 26, 1942, Edgar registered with Selective Service and named his mother as his contact person. He was inducted into the US Army on December 3, 1942, and issued the serial number 36 712 174. After being inducted, he was sent to Camp Grant, Illinois, where he did his basic training. He also trained at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, and Fort Sam Houston, Texas. From there he joined A Company, 349th Infantry Regiment, which was headquartered at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, and was the first Army unit completely composed of men who had been drafted into the Army. The 349th was also part of the 88th Infantry Division.
The 349th was sent overseas and landed in Casablanca, French Morocco, on December 15, 1943. In North Africa, it trained in Algeria. On February 4, 1944, the 349th arrived in Naples, Italy, but they did not see combat until the 27th because the command did not have confidence in a division made up of men from Selective Service. During this time, the unit fought in multiple engagements and was sent out to bring back prisoners. What is known is that Pfc. Edgar C. Hansler was killed – when he was hit by shell fragments in his right arm and head – near Castel forte, Italy, on March 29, 1944. The next day, March 30th, he was buried at the United States Military Cemetery in Carano, Italy, in Plot A, Row 8, Grave 92. His grave was marked as with a wooden cross.
Having received no word on Edgar’s burial, his mother wrote a letter to The Quartermaster General’s Office in Washington DC. In response to her letter, she received a letter from the Memorial Division of the QMC.
23 June 1945
Mrs. Anna Hansler
1920 North 75th Court
Elmwood Park,
Chicago 35, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Hansler:
Your letter has been forwarded to this office for direct reply, relative to the place of burial of the remains of your son, the late Private First Class Edgar C. Hansler.
The official report of the interment received in this office reveals that the remains of your son were interred in the U. S. Military Cemetery, Carano, Italy, Plot A, Row 8, Grave 92.
Due to the fact that this office has a tremendous volume of correspondence relating to information regarding our deceased military personnel, it was not possible to answer your letter promptly. However, you may be assured that this office is endeavoring to reply to incoming correspondence as it is received.
Please accept my sincere sympathy in the loss of your son.
FOR THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
MAYO A. DARLING
lt. Colonel, QMC
Assistant
Another letter arrived that was addressed to Edgar’s father – since he officially was the next of kin – from The Quartermaster General.
19 November 1946
Mr. William Hansler
1920 North 75th Court
Elmwood Park, Illinois
Dear Mr. Hansler:
The War Department is most desirous that you be furbished information regarding the burial location of your son, the late Private First Class Edgar C. Hansler, A.S.N. 36 712 174.
The records of this office disclose that his remains are interred in the U. S. Military Cemetery, Carano, plot A, row 8, grave 92. You may be assured that the identification and interment have been accomplished with fitting dignity and solemnity.
This cemetery is located approximately thirty miles northwest of Naples, Italy, and is under the constant care and supervision of the United States personnel.
The War Department has now been authorized to comply, at Government expense, with the feasible wishes of the next of kin regarding final interment, here or abroad, of the remains of your loved one. At a later date, this office will, without any action on your part, provide the next of kin with full information and solicit his detailed desires.
Please accept my sincere sympathy in your great loss.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
T. B. LARKIN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
The next letter, dated July 31, 1947, arrived and asked his parents to fill-out and return an enclosed form indicating where they wanted Edgar to be buried. The completed form was received by the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, on August 9, 1947, and indicated his parents wanted Edgar returned to the United States for burial.
Edgar’s remains were disinterred from the US Military Cemetery, Carano, Italy and sent to the morgue in Naples. After being casketed, his casket sailed for the US on the USAT Carroll Victory, on August 11, 1949. The ship arrived at the New York Port of Entry in the 23rd. By train, his casket with a military escort, arrived at the Quartermaster Corps’ Distribution Center #8, Chicago, on September 7th. In a military hearse, Edgar’s casket was sent to the Daniel J. Murphy Funeral Home, Elmwood Park, Illinois, on October 6th. Two days later, on October 8, 1948, PfFC Edgar C. Hansler was buried at the Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, Illinois, in the South Parkway, Lot: 153 S½ Grave: 1
