Pvt. George Lawrence Hanson was born in Maywood, Illinois, on August 13, 1921, to Henry F. Hanson and Alma Rappold-Hanson, and he had three sisters and two brothers. One his brothers, Roy, was killed in an accident in 1939. The family resided at 1302 North Eleventh Avenue, Melrose Park, Illinois, and graduated from Lincoln School. He attended Proviso Township High School, as a member of the class of 1941, but he left school before his class graduated. He worked at the American Can Company, Maywood as an apprentice trained as a machinist.
George registered with Selective Service on February 16, 1942, and named his mother as his contact person. He also indicated that he worked at the can company. Perhaps that was why he was not drafted into the Army until April 1, 1944, in Chicago. He received the serial number 36 967 915, and was sent to Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and was there from April 18to to the 30th. He is next known to have been at Ft. Meade, Missouri, from September 16th to 28th and from there he was sent to Camp Cooke, California. After his training was completed, he was assigned to Company M, 423rd Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division. On October 10th, at Camp Miles Standish, Massachusetts, the 106th Infantry Division prepared for duty overseas. The unit then moved the New York Port of Embarkation and sailed for England on November 10th, and arrived on the 17th and spent the next nineteen days there.
The 106th Infantry Division arrived in France on December 6, 1944, joined the Rhineland Campaign, and crossed into Belgium on December 10th. When the Germans launched the Ardennes Offensive on December 6th, the 106th was sent to the battle. It was during the Battle of the Bulge that the 423rd was given the mission of capturing the town of Schonberg. The battle lasted days and the 423rd was cut off. They continued to fight for days in spite of the fact they were surrounded. The Germans overran their positions and George and the other men were forced to surrender on the 19th. But, they had delayed the Germans long enough to prevent them from capturing a necessary road to continue their offensive.
Records stated that the following:
Pvt. George L. Hanson, 36967915, of the 423rd Inf Regt, was reported MIA on 21 December 1944, in the vicinity of Radscheid, Germany. Evidence indicates that Pvt. Henson was captured, inasmuch as the regiment was surrounded by German units.
His parents were sent a telegram.
MRS ALMA HANSON
1302 NORTH 11th AVENUE
MELROSE PARK ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR HUSBAND PRIVATE GEORGE L HANSON HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE NINETEEN DECEMBER IN EUROPE PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
From military records, it is known that the Prisoners of War were forced to march a great distance to a POW at Wunsidal, Germany. According to the local Catholic priest, George was in very poor shape when he arrived at the camp. What is known is that Pvt. George L. Hanson died on April 17, 1945. German Army records state that George’s death was from severe stomach cramps and a bowel disorder, while the priest and the town’s Burger Meister stated that George most likely died from starvation. The priest stated he conducted a Christian service at George’s burial. After he died, he was one of seven Americans buried in the town cemetery.
On May 7, 1945, George’s remains were exhumed with the remains of the other six Americans buried in the cemetery. They were transported to the United States Military Cemetery, Nurnberg, Germany, and buried in Plot B, Row 8, Grave 194. It appears George was not buried in the cemetery for long when they were exhumed and reburied in the United States Military Cemetery, Saint Avold, France, on August 1, 1945, in Plot BB, Row 8, Grave 194. Since his remains were skeletal, he was designated X-562.
In the beginning of July 1945, his parents were informed that he had died while a German prisoner of war in a telegram.
MRS ALMA HANSON 1302 NORTH 11th AVENUE MELROSE PARK ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR ASKS THAT I ASSURE YOU OF HIS DEEP SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF YOUR SON PRIVATE GEORGE L HANSON PEVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION REPORT NOW RECEIVED STATES HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION SEVENTEEN APRIL IN EUROPEAN AREA CONFIRMNING LETTER FOLLOWS=
J A ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL=
The same Army records stated:
Non-Battle casualty report states that Pvt. Henson died of malnutrition at Wunsiedel, Germany, 17 April 1945, while held as a prisoner of war. The information was received from the German Govt. through the the International Red Cross.
The telegram was followed by this letter that was dated July 5, 1945.
Mrs. Alma Hanson
1302 North 11th Street
Melrose Park, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Hanson:
It is with deep regret that I am writing to confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your son, Private George L. Hanson, 36,967,915, Infantry.
It has now been officially established from reports received in the War Department that your son died while a prisoner of war of the German Government on 17 April 1945 in Wunsidel, as a result of malnutrition.
I know the sorrow this message has brought you and it is my hope that intime the knowledge of his heroic sacrifice in the service of his country may be of sustaining comfort to you.
I extend to you my deepest sympathy.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
EDEARD F. WITSELL
Brigadier General
Acting The Adjutant General of the Army
His parents held a memorial service at the First Congregational Church in Bellwood, Illinois, on July 29, 1945.
Over the next few years, George’s remains were identified through his dental charts and the fact one of his Government issued identification tags was found with his remains in his grave. The next time that it is known that the Quartermaster Corps contacted George’s mother was in a letter dated September 22, 1949. In the letter she was given her options for George’s final burial. She was asked to fill-out an enclosed form and return it to the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC. The form was returned to the OQMG on October 25, 1949, stating his mother wanted him buried in an American Military Cemetery.
Pvt. George L. Hanson was buried, with full military honors at the new American Military Cemetery, Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium, in Plot C, Row 38, Grave 20. His mother was sent the flag that covered his casket and a letter.
Pvt George L. Hanson, ASN 36 967 915
Plot C, Row 38, Grave 20
Headstone: Cross
Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium
United States Military Cemetery
Mrs. Alma Hanson
1302 North 11th Avenue
Melrose Park, Illinois
This is to inform you that the remains of your beloved one have been permanently interred, as the recorded above, side by side with comrades who also gave their lives for their country. Customary military funeral services were conducted over the grave at the time of burial.
After the Department of the Army has completed all final interments, the cemetery will be transferred, as authorized by the Congress, to the care and supervision of the American Battle Monuments Commission. The commission will have the responsibility for permanent construction and beautification of the cemetery, including erection of the permanent headstone. The headstone will be inscribe with the name exactly recorded above, the rank or rating where appropriate, organization, State, and date of death. Any inquiries relative to the type of headstone or the spelling of the name to be inscribed thereon, should be addressed to the American Battle Monuments Commission, Washington D. C. Your letter should include the full name, rank, serial number, grave location, and name of cemetery.
While interments are in progress, the cemetery will not be open to visitors. You may rest assured that the final interment was conducted with fitting dignity and solemnity and that the grave-site will be carefully and conscientiously maintained in perpetuity by the United States Government.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
H. FELDMAN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
