Loyola University Maryland - Evergreen / Green and Gray Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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LIEUTENANT JOSEPH HANLON 14

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IGtPut. SnHpptj lEanlnn 3 E little thought when we published in our Annual of last year, the cheery, inspiring letters of Joe Hanlon, that we should have the sad duty of recording in this Annual the story of his death. Lieutenant Joseph T. Hanlon was killed in action, at about two o’clock, on the morning of July 31, 1918, “He was half soldier, half saint,” writes Major Doherty, Chap- lain. A coincidence then, it was, that the day of his death was the feast of the soldier-saint, Ignatius of Loyola, the patron of the college where Joe had spent eight years of training for his A.B. degree. Lieutenant Hanlon was born in Baltimore, on March 3, 1893. He entered the High School department of Loyola in the fall of 1904. Throughout his entire course, from the first year in High School to his last year in college, Joe’s name is to be found in the list of the distin- guished students of his class. In his Sophomore year, he received the “General Excellence Medal,” the highest honor in the College, awarded to the student who obtains the highest averages in studies, attendance and conduct. He completed his brilliant career at Loyola in 1912. He then took up the study of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, N. Y., graduating with highest honors in 1916. Some interesting stories are told of him while at Columbia. One of the students said to him : “Hanlon, where is this Loyola College, anyway?” Joe quickly retorted: “I’ll show you where it is before I get through here.” In class one day a professor, after finishing some demonstration, asked Joe what he thought of it. “It is all right, sir,” he answered, “onlj it could be done in half the time.” On being invited to show his own method, Joe proved the truth of his words and the professor magnanimously said to the class: “Gentlemen, follow Mr. Hanlon’s proof and do not bother about mine.” Joe was for two years President of the Columbia Chapter of Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity and its delegate at the San Francisco Con- vention in 1911. He was elected to both the Sigma Chi and Delta Tau Delta at Columbia, These are honorary engineering societies. An election to either is an honor; an election to botli is not usual. A letter to Joe’s ])arents from Mr. Walter E. Peck, Instructor in Columbia University, will help to show in what esteem he was held there : 13

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“Words cannot convey what is in my heart to say to you at this hour. Joe was my very dear friend. In a measure therefore, I can ‘feel witli you’ in this liour which is the meaning of sympathy. Joe was highly regarded by many, many friends in Columbia. The University and the Chapter of the Alpha Delta Phi have lost heavily in this, your loss, which is of course greater than our own. The cause for which he gave his life will receive a new impetus from his high service; and in the memory of his nobility and courage and high ideals those who follow in his footsteps will not forget your son, and our brother. Lieutenant Joseph Hanlon. Another Columbia student, Roland R. Haines, writes thus from the U. S. Naval Academy: “Though several years behind Joe at Colum- bia, I saw a very great deal of him, and came to care for him truly as an elder brother, and the sweetest gentleman I have ever known. Joe was ])resident of our chapter during my freshman year, and many a cheery word of encouragement, advice, and help did he give me. His happy nature and his way of doing things, endeared him to me and to the other members of the chapter so deeply that when Joe left, there was a hole somehow that nobody could fill. ... I wanted just to tell you how we felt towards him, how we truly loved him at Columbia, and of the sense of great personal loss that each must feel who knew him. There is some comfort in the knowledge that Joe gave everything for our cause, but I know the ache in j our hearts, for I have it too.” Resides being an exceptiona l student, Joe was an athlete of no ordinary skill. He won several tennis cups and a swimming trophy in minor tournaments. After graduating from Columbia he practiced his profession with the Ingersoll-Rand Company, of New York. Later he became engaged to Miss Dorcas Carleton, of St. Louis, Mo. When our country entered the war he volunteered his services and was appointed a second lieu- tenant. Some of his friends tried to convince Joe that he could work as well for his country by remaining where he was in civil life. His only response was a shake of the head and the well-known gentle smile. He had no love for war, hut he had a very clear idea of what he believed to be his duty to his country. If he did not receive a commission, he was heard to remark, he would go into the trenches as a private. A letter of sympathy from Mr. Frederick D. Longacre, of the In- gersoll-Rand Company, New York, throws additional light on this phase of Joe’s character: “The news of the death of your son Joseph, was sent to me while 1 was away, consequently my delay in writing you. 15