134th Infantry Regiment Website 35th Infantry Division Research Center "All Hell Can't Stop Us"

Pvt Palmer T Hanson

137th Infantry Regiment, Company F

Palmer Theodore Hanson was born April 14, 1921 in Ortonville, Michigan. He registered for the draft on February 16, 1942, was inducted into the Army June 23, 1943, and entered active service August 13, 1943 at Fort Custer, Michigan. He was a Rifleman in Company F, 137th Infantry Regiment, departed the U.S. for the ETO on May 12 and arrived in Avonmouth, England on May 24, 1944. He was billeted in Cornwall until sailing for France and landing at Omaha Beach in Normandy on July 8, 1944. He was captured by the Germans on October 30, 1944 near Chateau Salins, France and held as a POW for 24 days before he escaped and returned to his unit. Details of his capture and escape can be found in his Escape and Evasion Report. Pvt Palmer T Hanson suffered frostbite January 8, 1945 during the Battle of the Bulge in the vicinity of Villers-la Bonne-Eau, about 5 miles south of Bastogne, Belgium and spent some time recuperating in a hospital in Scotland before being invalided home. He was discharged from the Army November 15, 1945 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. His awards include a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Distinguished Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, and a WWII Victory Medal. He passed away June 25, 1995 and is buried at Andersonville Cemetery, Andersonville, Michigan.

Pfc Palmer T Hanson, his wife Christine and brother James Lundie

Thanks to his son, Ronald Hanson, for these pictures of his father.