Byron Hall Hanlon
Admiral, U.S. Navy

Byron Hall Hanlon was born on 27 September 1899 in Rocklin, CA. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1921.

Unfortunately, little public information is available on the specifics of Hanlon's career. What was found is included here.

In 1939, Lieutenant Commander Hanlon was Commanding Officer of the destroyer USS Lamson (DD-367).

During the period 11 November 1944 to 5 June 1945, Captain Hanlon was Commander Underwater Demolition Teams, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He received the Legion of Merit with Combat "Valor" Device for his actions during that period.

Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Captain Byron Hall Hanlon (NSN: 0-17669), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Underwater Demolition Teams, Amphibious Forces, United States Pacific Fleet, from 11 November 1944 to 5 June 1945. With great initiative, perseverance, and outstanding ability, he planned and directed the operations of Under-beaches preliminary to the amphibious landings on Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa Gunto. By his devotion to duty, courage and skill in carrying out difficult missions against strongly fortified enemy-held objectives, he contributed immeasurably to the success of these operations. His outstanding service and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Hanlon is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)

As Commander of the Naval Underwater Demolitions Group, Captain Hanlon received the Navy Cross for his heroic actions on 17 February 1945.

Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Byron Hall Hanlon (NSN: 0-17669), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of the Naval Underwater Demolitions Group, in action against enemy Japanese forces during pre-invasion assault operations at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 17 February 1945. Braving heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire which sank one and seriously damaged ten of the twelve gunboats engaged in beach reconnaissance and clearance operations, Captain Hanlon skillfully led the demolitions teams and their supporting gunboats to within 1,000 yards of the hostile shore. When numerous casualties forced the temporary withdrawal of the gunboats, he lent encouragement to his group during the effecting of speedy repairs permitting speedy return to the line. By his leadership, courage and gallant fighting spirit, Captain Hanlon contributed materially to the success of our operations in this area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Rear Admiral Hanlon received a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit (Army Award) for his services during the period 25 August 1952 to 26 February 1953.

Hanlon received the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his meritorious and distinguished services from 1 January 1953 to 23 April 1954 during the Korean War.

He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his meritorious and distinguished services from 15 March to 21 July 1956, as Commander Joint Task Force SEVEN and as Senior Representative of the Atomic Energy Commission at the Pacific Proving Round during the conduct of Operation Redwing.

On 1 November 1957, Hanlon was promoted to Vice Admiral.

Upon his retirement in October 1958, he was advanced in rank to four-star Admiral. *

* The Act of Congress of 4 March 1925, allowed Navy officers to be promoted one grade upon retirement if they had been specially commended for performance of duty in actual combat. These promotions were colloquially known as "tombstone promotions" because they conferred the prestige of the higher rank but not the additional retirement pay, so their only practical benefit was to allow recipients to engrave a loftier title on their business cards and tombstones. An Act of Congress on 23 February 1942, enabled tombstone promotions to three- and four-star grades.

Medals and Awards

Navy Cross
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit with Combat "Valor" Device
Legion of Merit (Army)

Personal

Hanlon married Lady Jane Brown who preceded him in death on 29 January 1964. He married a widow, Ellen Duval Moore Baynard on 6 April 1966.

Death and Burial

Admiral Byron Hall Hanlon died on 9 January 1977. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, in Section 1, Site 85-W-1 RH.

He was survived by his second wife, Ellen Duval Moore Hanlon, who died on 3 March 2002.