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Jack Dempsey Tanner 'Dody' |
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Engagements: • World War II (1941 - 1945) |
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Biography: | ||||
Jack Dempsey "Dody" Tanner The Early Years Jack Dempsey Tanner was born on 29 August 1918 in Hillsboro, Hill County, TX. He was the son of Herman John and , Marian Elizabeth Townsend Tanner. Jack was named for the famous boxer. How did he get a name like Dody? Older baby brother Willard was nicknamed "Son," and when he tried to call the baby a dolly, he said "Dody" and the name stuck. Military Service Jack joined the U.S. Army to be a paratrooper and he spent 3 months at Fort Campbell, KY. However, he hurt his leg on a jump and was transferred into the regular infantry. Christmas 1944, he came home to show his little sister how to jump off the couch like a super duper paratrooper and rock and roll! He had a girlfriend, Eileen, they were very much in love at that time. This was his last furlough over that Christmas weekend. He was sent to Germany in January. On Sunday, 25 February 1945, a Western Union telegram was delivered saying that Dody had been killed in action on 23 February 1945. After that, his Mother never claimed to be of Dutch descent, claiming until her death she was instead "high Dutch." Dody had written his Mom earlier to tell her Holland was beautiful. Bronze Star Medal Death and Burial Corporal Jack Dempsey Tanner was killed in action on 23 February 1945. Initially, his body was buried in a Veteran's Cemetery in Holland. His Mother would not rest until his body was brought back to the U.S. and that took quite some time, but her efforts were successful. He is buried at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, TX. His grave is in Section E next to his mother's. He was not buried in the Field of Honor with the other veterans at Restland since his mother brought him back on her own. Jack was preceded in death by his father Herman John Tanner. Surviving him was his mother, Marian Elizabeth Tanner; a brother - Willard Archie Tanner and his wife Leota; and his sister Marian Elizabeth Tanner Barnes. |
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Origin of Nickname/Handle: | ||||
How did he get a name like Dody? Older baby brother Willard was nicknamed "Son," and when he tried to call the baby a dolly, he said "Dody" and the name stuck. |
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Honoree ID: 2205 | Created by: MHOH |