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First Name: Eugene

Last Name: Hanson

Birthplace: Burlington, IA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Navy (present)

Rating:

Home of Record: Denton, TX
Middle Name: R.



Date of Birth: 16 May 1917

Date of Death: 30 December 2015

Rank or Rate: Captain

Years Served:
Eugene Raymond 'Gene' Hanson

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Eugene Raymond 'Gene' Hanson

Captain, U. S. Navy

Navy Cross with One Gold Star

Eugene R. Hanson, Capt. USN, (ret.)1917-2015
Obituary originally published in the Pensacola News Journal from Jan. 5 to Jan 7 2016.
Eugene Hanson quietly passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2015. He was born in Burlington, IA in 1917. His naval carrier started around 1938. He served with valor as a navy carrier pilot. He received double navy crosses among many other medals and commendations. He participated in the Battle of Midway Island and the Battle of Guadalcanal among other actions during the war. During the 1950's he was leading anti-submarine patrols along America's Atlantic coast line. During the late 1950's and early 1960's he was commander of the aircraft carrier USS Wasp. He worked for the City of New York from 1964 to 1978 as superintendent of tanker operations involving the management city's sewage treatment system. He retired in Pensacola with his beloved wife Joy P. Hanson (1921-2007) in 1979 and has loved living here for over 35 years.He leaves his youngest sister, Marlene; his two sons, and many good friends and neighbors whom he cherished. We will miss him. A Memorial Service will be held 10:30am, Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel with Rev. Paul Wolfe officiating. A committal service will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Captain, US Navy. Enlisted 10 March 1938. Retired 30 Jun 1966. In addition to 2 Navy Cross Medals, Capt Hanson was awarded an Air Medal, Combat Action ribbon, 2 Presidential Unit Citations, a Navy Unit Commendation, and a Navy Efficiency ribbon (Battle "E" Ribbon) in addition to many campaign medals. It was during his tour as Commanding Officer, VS-27, that the squadron earned the Battle "E" Ribbon.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Eugene R. Hanson, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Campaign, on 24 August 1942.
Participating in a vigorous and determined aerial torpedo raid against a Japanese Task Force, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hanson, pressing home his attack through a bursting hail of fire from hostile anti-aircraft batteries and fighter planes, contributed to the relentless fighting spirit and aggressive courage which enabled his group to score one certain hit and two estimated hits on an enemy aircraft carrier. His superior airmanship and unyielding devotion to duty aided greatly in the defeat of the Task Force and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: August 24, 1942
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Company: Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8)
Division: U.S.S. Saratoga (CV-3)


The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Eugene R. Hanson, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands during the period 16 September 1942 through 23 October 1942.
On 16 September, as part of a group which launched an attack against hostile surface units off Gizo Island, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hanson contributed to the scoring of a torpedo hit on a Japanese cruiser. On 24 September, in company with two dive bombers, he participated in a raid against enemy destroyers which were putting troops ashore at Cape Esperance and scored one probable hit with a 500-pound bomb. On 10 October he piloted a Torpedo Plane in a striking force against two light cruisers and four destroyers about 170 miles off Guadalcanal. On 12 October, while attacking two heavy cruisers, he scored a direct hit on one of the enemy vessels. During a night attack on 23 October, he released twelve 100-pound bombs on Japanese troop concentrations to the west of our lines on Guadalcanal. Shot down by enemy gunfire during this engagement, he effected a successful crash-landing about one mile off shore, thus enabling himself and his crew to swim to a point beyond our front lines. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hanson's outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander Southern Pacific Fleet: Serial 00192 (January 18, 1943)
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 315 (June 1943)
Action Date: September 16 & 24 and October 12 & 23, 1942
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Company: Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8)
Division: U.S.S. Hornet (CV-8)



Origin of Nickname/Handle:

Texas WWII Exceptional Gallantry

Honoree ID: 315795   Created by: drjones46

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