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

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From the Colonel of the Regiment, E. J. Atkisson. I liave delayed writing to you i)revious to the War Department’s announeeinent of Joe’s death. I re([uested iVIajor Wood, who is in the States, to see you if he possibly eould, and tell you about his death. You will remember that Joe was one of my first oiheers, and 1 grew to know him very well indeed. No man in the Regiment was held in higher regard, and we all felt a direet jiersonal loss when he was killed. He was killed near Fere-cn-Tardenois, in the Chateau-Thierry drive, while taking U]) a carrying party for a Stokes Mortar operation. He and four of his men were killed by the same shell. There was never the slightest question or doubt about Joe. He performed his full duty at all times. He was loved by his men. He got into as much action, if not more, than any lieutenant in the Regiment U]) to the time he was killed. He had made himself an expert in all of our special work — Cylinders, Projectors and Stokes Mortars. He was the best (lualilied Stokes Mortar man in Company R. I am enclosing a letter which I wrote as Commandant of our Kxi)erimental Field, shortly after his death, and the copy of an order from our Chief. Hanlon Field is really the center and heart of the Chemical Warfare Service. We have a large organization there that is continually carrying on ex])eriments and tests to further devclo]) and improve our work. There is also located there the American Expeditionary Forces’ Gas Defense School, where some 20U, possibly 300 officers belonging to all units of our army, will be trained in the proi)er defensive measures to be taken against gas. It is also the head([uarters of our Officers’ Training School, where otliecrs arc trained for the Chemical Warfare Service. It is also the headquarters for the training of all our gas troops, and from our little beginning at American Fniversity, with Comj)anies A and B, we expect eventually to have three regiments, comi)osed of some 600 otliecrs and about 15,000 men. Joe’s name and work and noble death will leave an inqjression on all of tins. We were fortunate in obtaining Joe’s body, and it was brought to La Ville-aux-Rois, near Hanlon Field, wliere several of the eonq)anies were located at the time. Ca])tain Keizer succeeded in obtaining a spiendid casket, whieli was sealed, and he was buried in grave No. 51, Otliecrs’ Plot, American Cemetery, at G. J. Q., within three kilometers of Hanlon Field, with full Military Honors. Cha])lain Doherty, a (adliolic, and a man wlio knew ,loc, and to wliom Joe liad gone pre- viously, conducted tlie services. 5ou may know that wq sliall do everytliing tliat we can to assist you in eventually bringing Joe’s liody liack to the States. 22

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lo have been killed in action, helping the advance of victorious Ameri- can trooi)S, is surely to have died nobly. Because we know how he lived and how he died, he has not only earned our grateful praise, but in this regiment his name will always be held in honor and in loving remembrance. From the Catholic Chaptain, Francis A. Doherty. Doubtless you have already received the otficial notifieation of the sad yet glorious death of amr son, Joseph T. Hanlon, who fell at the front and was buried by me lierc, the funeral services being with full military honors. I knew Joseph from visiting his camp before they moved to where the fatalit} happened. In the course of my ministrations, I came by invitation one day to a camp where my services were desired, and I was assisted in the prepa- ration of the altar and appurtenances by Joseph, who served my Mass and received Holy Communion. He was a rare soul, a combination of a soldier and a saint, and in this I am borne out by his Company Commander, Cai)tain Carlock, who said that besides being a brilliant and able young otlicer, that he was one of the cleanest-souled young men he had ever met. Ca])tain Carlock was visibly ah ' ected by the sad affair and the loss of one whom he seemed to regard as a real brother in arms, for both had received at a former time the Croix de Guerre. Colonel Atkisson also told me that Joseph was much to him and to the regiment. The first one to fall was the first in their hearts. It may comfort you much to know that Joseph suffered no pain — complaining only that his arm felt asleep. He was calm and conscious, hut probably didn’t realize the gravity of his condition. The end came swiftly and silently and he went forward as a real Christian Catholic soldier. His comrades brought the body here and had all care taken so that the body was emh aimed, placed in a zinc-lined casket, and everything made sure by us of registration in event of future recognition or return of remains after the war. These efforts show how Joseph was loved by all — both officers and men. For you, Mrs. Hanlon, and for all the family and friends, I would offer such consolation and symjiathy as one may find in the knowledge and realization that God’s will was early fulfilled in tliis bright, brave young soul, whose life has left a fragrance and a benediction to all who have been privileged to meet him. May God comfort you in this knowl- edge and in His ])romises, and may he rest in glory! Amen. 21

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I hope some day that I can tell you and Joe’s splendid mother and sisters, and fiancee personally what I have tried to express in this letter — how I personally held and loved him. (Enclosure in preceding letter) Request for naming of Experimental Field after Lieut. Hanlon. From: Commandant Experimental Field, C. Y. S. To: Chief of Chemical Waifare Service, T. E. F. Subject: Name for Experimental Field. 1. On Tuesday night, July 31, Lieutenant J. T. Hanlon, Company B, 30lh Engineers, was killed in action near Villers-sur-Fcre, while en- gaged in conducting a carrying party to the site of a proposed Stokes Mortar Operation. 2. It is quite im])ossible to state in words how highH Lieutenant Hanlon was considered. He came as near representing that high ideal of an American soldier that it has ever been my good fortune to know. There never was any question about Lieutenant Hanlon, he was every inch a soldier. 3. Lieutenant Hanlon was the personification of the spirit of the regiment and likewise of the Chemical Warfare Service. By his death, I am further insiiired to do and give the little I have to make his death worth while. I know that this is the feeling of all officers and men who knew Lieutenant Hanlon. 4. It seems especially fitting to make the following request, that is that this field be called “Hanlon Field.” It would mean a great deal to every man on duty here to feel that any results that he might obtain would be to helj) make good the loss of this splendid young soldier. E. J. xLtkisson, Lieutenant-Colonel Engineers. Chemical Wareare Services, September 4, 1918. Special Order Designating C. IT. S. Experimental Field as “Hanlon Field.” C. W. S., A. E. F. Special Orders No. 9. Hereafter the Experimental Field, Chemical Warfare Service, will be known as Hanlon field,” Chemical Warfare Service, in honor of Lieutenant J. T. Hanlon, Company B, ist Gas Begiment, wlio was killed in action July 31, 1918, near Villers-sur-Fere, while engaged in con- ducting a carrying jiarty to tlic site of a proposed Stokes Mortar opera- tion in support of an infantry attack, when the Germans were being driven from the Marne to the Vesle. 23