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To the Members and Webmaster
503d P.R.C.T. Heritage Battalion
Congratulations to the 503d P.R.C.T. Heritage Battalion and its many
contributors for an excellent web site and efforts to preserve and
explain the historical significance of the 503rd Parachute Infantry
Regimental Combat Team (WW II) and their exemplary courage, honor, and
many sacrifices during World War II.
My father, SSgt. Claire John Hansen, enlisted in the U.S. Army on 20
Jun 1941, completed Infantry Paratroop training at Fort Benning, GA,
additional training at Fort Bragg, NC and served as the Supply Sergeant
with Company C, 1st Battalion, 503rd PIRCT until his separation on 5 Aug
1945 at Camp McCoy, WI, just 38 miles from his hometown of Black River
Falls, WI.
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Claire John Hansen |
Back in Wisconsin at
last. |
He attended the meetings and participated in the development of the
constitution for the 503rd Regimental Combat Team Association (World War
II) in Washington, DC during the weekend of Feb 22, 1957. He was
elected to the Board of Directors as representative of the Southeast
(US). He attended several of the Association�s conventions and was very
proud to have served with the 503rd PIRCT. He was also an active member
of several VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) posts in northeast Florida.
Dad passed away on Jun 26, 1967 at the Veterans Administration Hospital
in Lake City, FL. He was buried in the Jacksonville Memory Gardens in
Orange Park, FL.
I now understand why his Parachutist Badge does not have three bronze
service stars.
The jumps at Nadzab and Noemfoor were not officially recognized as
�combat� jumps and the 1st Battalion participated in an amphibious
combat assault on Corregidor, but it occurred on 17 Feb 1945 and
therefore disqualified for the bronze arrowhead. However, I am
preparing a request for a review of his decorations and citations as I
believe there have been some omissions.
I have really enjoyed browsing through the web site and have learned a
great deal about the 503rd PIRCT and its campaigns. The photographs,
film strips, maps, recordings and personal accounts have all been
superior. The description and accounts of the voyage aboard the SS
Poelau Laut from San Francisco to Cairns, Australia was both interesting
and entertaining. The answer may be on the web site, but I have not
found it. The question: How were the troops returned to the U.S.?
Thank you!
(Those who had the points were returned to the US individually and
piecemeal on whatever transport was available, for discharge. The
503d was transferred from Negros to Japan and became part of the
Occupation Forces there, and essentially lost their unit identity. -
Ed)
Prior to his enlistment into the U.S. Army, Dad was trained in
arboriculture and tree surgery and employed by The Davey Tree Expert
Company of Kent, Ohio. One of his letters home during the war was
published in The Davey Bulletin, Vol. 30, No. 12, dated December 1943.
Upon his return from the war, The Davey Tree Expert Company offered Dad
a Field Foreman position in northeast Florida maintaining line
clearances for the Florida Power and Light Company. Davey still
maintains that contract today.
Prior to his departure from Fort Bragg, NC, Dad met my mother in
Southern Pines, NC.
He was in training at Fort Bragg and mother was a non-graduate nurse at
the Pinebluff Sanatorium. They were married July 11, 1942 in Pinehurst,
NC. She resigned her nursing position and moved to Fayetteville, NC
until Dad received orders for overseas duty.
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Army Separation
Record - Form 100 |
Honorable Discharge
Report - Form 53 |
Respectfully,
Robert A. Hansen
U. S.
Army
Jul
1962 � Aug 1965
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