No Quarter Posted January 13, 2017 Share #1 Posted January 13, 2017 Hello, I purchased these tags from an antique store and would like some help on researching this soldier. I have found him on an Army enlistment site and found out he enlisted on April 3, 1941 in Marquette, MI. I was wondering if anyone on here could use some of their resources to dig deeper and find some more information. I don't know anymore resources to use so it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Jacob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettow Posted January 13, 2017 Share #2 Posted January 13, 2017 DOB: 23 Apr 1912 DOD: 05 Jun 1997 Released from service 05 Dec 45 as PFC. Buried in Ishpeming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Quarter Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted January 13, 2017 DOB: 23 Apr 1912 DOD: 05 Jun 1997 Released from service 05 Dec 45 as PFC. Buried in Ishpeming. Thank you. Jacob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Quarter Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted January 13, 2017 Is there a way to find out where he served? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted January 13, 2017 Share #5 Posted January 13, 2017 It looks like there was a interview on his WWII service conducted. You might be able to get a copy if you contact them. See link. https://www.nmu.edu/archives/sites/DrupalArchives/files/UserFiles/MSS-113.html#ref863 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettow Posted January 13, 2017 Share #6 Posted January 13, 2017 The tapes are at NMU so you should be able to get his if you are still in Marquette. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Quarter Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted January 13, 2017 I'm actually a student at NMU so that's perfect haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted January 13, 2017 Share #8 Posted January 13, 2017 I'm actually a student at NMU so that's perfect haha. Well that works out! Let us know what happens with this. I'd be interested in hearing about the vets history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Quarter Posted January 17, 2017 Author Share #9 Posted January 17, 2017 So I went to our school's archives after class and found the interview with the veteran. He had a very interesting service. I'm writing up a summary about his time in the war and will post it when I am done! Jacob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Quarter Posted January 17, 2017 Author Share #10 Posted January 17, 2017 Urho Hankanen Born April 23, 1912 – National Mine, Michigan (Tilden Township) Worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company before war service. Rank: Private First Class Served in the 41st Infantry Division in a Machine Gun squad. He was also a Jungle Fighter. In the Army for 5 years Served in New Guinea. Battle of Mindanao, Jolo Island, Bayaca Island, Black Island (Philippines), Hiroshima. (On the Battle of Mindanao) “We were the first ones to enter there and we were under heavy fire from the Japs. They bombed first about 500 feet of the shore; first, before we went in, but the Japs went way back and they were firing artillery at us. Lots of men got killed going in there.” “I had Jungle Crud. I never had my clothes off for two months and it was hot all the time. All you had to drink was two quarts of water a day. Two canteens of water. You’d sweat every day and all them dirty clothes for two months, you never took them off. You’d smell bad, everybody smelled bad (laughs) so then a tank truck came and they hosed us off, just hosed us off. Then we would have to put them dirty clothes back on.” “I was close to getting killed many times. I remember one time we walked into a land mine that killed 50 men in just a few seconds. I got hit in the back and my back was all black and blue.” Refused a Purple Heart after the back wound. Medals and awards: five ribbons, two battle stars and one arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge Used a water-cooled machine gun. Carried M1 Garand and grenades. -Urho was sent to Hiroshima after the Atomic Bomb had devastated the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted January 17, 2017 Share #11 Posted January 17, 2017 Urho Hankanen Born April 23, 1912 National Mine, Michigan (Tilden Township)Worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company before war service. Rank: Private First Class Served in the 41st Infantry Division in a Machine Gun squad. He was also a Jungle Fighter. In the Army for 5 years Served in New Guinea. Battle of Mindanao, Jolo Island, Bayaca Island, Black Island (Philippines), Hiroshima. (On the Battle of Mindanao) We were the first ones to enter there and we were under heavy fire from the Japs. They bombed first about 500 feet of the shore; first, before we went in, but the Japs went way back and they were firing artillery at us. Lots of men got killed going in there. I had Jungle Crud. I never had my clothes off for two months and it was hot all the time. All you had to drink was two quarts of water a day. Two canteens of water. Youd sweat every day and all them dirty clothes for two months, you never took them off. Youd smell bad, everybody smelled bad (laughs) so then a tank truck came and they hosed us off, just hosed us off. Then we would have to put them dirty clothes back on. I was close to getting killed many times. I remember one time we walked into a land mine that killed 50 men in just a few seconds. I got hit in the back and my back was all black and blue. Refused a Purple Heart after the back wound. Medals and awards: five ribbons, two battle stars and one arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge Used a water-cooled machine gun. Carried M1 Garand and grenades. -Urho was sent to Hiroshima after the Atomic Bomb had devastated the city. Great stuff.... Glad to see this veterans story told once more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddyboots Posted January 17, 2017 Share #12 Posted January 17, 2017 Fantastic!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilHar Posted January 17, 2017 Share #13 Posted January 17, 2017 Fantastic, well done and great find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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