Harold McConnell Hassler OISE Sector

[T1gertank519]

Harold McConnell Hassler was born March 15th, 1919 to a small Irish family in the town of Hutchinson, Kansas. The Hassler family didn’t have much for most of Harold’s childhood, and when the Stock Market crash set in, the situation became much worse. It was during this rough childhood that Harold began forming one of his lifelong goals of becoming financially successful, and independent from the stress that had burdened him. Over the years, Harold was able to scrape together enough money so that he could go to college. He became the first person in his family to go on to higher education, graduating with a 2 year business degree in 1941. Sadly, Harold’s business dreams were put on hold when the war started. Harold’s younger brother joined the Navy, trying unsuccessfully to convince Harold to go with him. At the time Harold worked as a door-to-door salesman, but in November of 1942, the then 23-year old Hassler was drafted into the Army. 

 

Hassler traveled to Fort Myer, Virginia, to begin his service. It is unfortunate that Harold never talked about his time in the war, meaning that few details are available for his service. Harold would eventually be assigned to the medical department of the Army. Upon being sent overseas to France, it is believed that he worked in a Field Hospital in the Intermediate zone of occupation in France- territory that had not yet been fully secured. To further elaborate on the purpose of the OISE sector, here are a few excerpts from Logistical Support of the Armies: September 1944 to May 1945. The resource reads,”In September plans called for the creation of two additional sections to complete the continental COMZ organization. One of these was to be the Oise Section, which was scheduled to take over the area east of Paris as territory was relinquished by the Advance Section. Consequently Oise Section's functions were limited mainly to rail and road maintenance and the supply of units stationed within its own borders”(Roland G. Ruppenthal 380). In December of 1944, Harold was himself a patient in a field hospital due to a chest sickness, which by January had developed into anemia. From this point on, not much is known about the service of Harold Hassler. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant at the end of the war, whereupon he returned home to Kansas.

 

Upon arrival home to Kansas in 1945, Harold was almost immediately confined to another hospital. He had contracted tuberculosis, a painful endeavor. He spent about a year and a half in the hospital, and it is safe to say he was not happy with his current environment at that time. Harold moved to Arizona, and in 1949 he married Anna Lucyshyn, who had come from Rochester, New York. Harold began working for the Federal Housing Administration as a Land and Home Appraiser. He was able to make a good living by purchasing most of the land that today exists as downtown Phoenix. Harold was also able to arrange the sale of the land that the Arrowhead Mall now sits on. Harold enjoyed going up to Lake Pleasant to fish, and more often than not he made the trip up there every week. Another hobby Harold enjoyed was hunting, and he made many successful safaris in Africa- decorating his house with the carcasses of foxes, buffalo, and even lions! Harold became a very Christian man, and he was never seen without a bible in his front pocket. Harold and his wife would have 3 kids: 2 sons and a daughter. Harold McConnell Hassler passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 76, on February 8th, 1996. 

 

During the process of researching this Ike jacket, I was able to contact the Hassler family. It was with their help that I could learn more about Harold, and be able to understand his story on a deeper basis. In the past few weeks, I had the opportunity to meet relatives of Harold in person, as well as visit the grave of Harold and Anna Hassler.  Thank you to the family of Mr. Hassler for allowing me the opportunity to learn about a good man who was involved in the foundations of my own community. It has been an offer to research the service of this kind hearted man. 

(In the early war photo of the two men, Hassler is the taller one. He was 6 foot, 3 inches tall!).

 

[Old Crow 1986]

Well done on your research.  I enjoy reading histories and stories about ordinary GIs as much as I enjoy reading the stories attached to more colorful careers.  Thanks for being Harold's caretaker and keeping his memory - and contributions to society - alive.

[Brian Keith]

Great history and very nice uniform! Thanks for doing the research and sharing the service of this service man of the "Greatest Generation!

BKW