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

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From CAipl. T. (iillilaiid, of Ihe Bn ' lislt Ariui . 1 have given eaeh oT your otheers a note in relerenee to their work while attaehed to this Coin])any. I am verv sorry to he losing them both hut, as we said before, “orders are orders.” You have two most eai)ahle otiieers both very fresh and keen on their work. Captain (ieiger didn ' t s ee very mueh of the aetiial work, hut I really ean ' t find words to express my a])preeiation and admiration of Lieutenant Hanlon. The same apjdies to all his boys. {From Ihe some.) Dear Captain Gribhel : I have just written a note to Major Robbe on Lieutenant Hanlon’s work. I eannot speak too highly about him. He was given jiart of the line to supervise during recent operations, and his work was car- ried out with the greatest care and accuracy, giving the utmost satis- faction. From Capt. L. E. Thompson, C. W. S. I realize how cinjity of pur])osc are mere words at a time like this, and feel decjily for you, the more so having gone through a good many hours of intense shell fire with Joe on the Chatcau-Thierry front. I was with Joe last on July 13, on a reconnaissance in Relleau Woods, and after our return to Rattalion Headciuarters he gave me a little package containing part of a bell taken from some church in France, and asked that I mail it to you on my return to the United States. I am sending the ])ackage under separate cover; the letter I will enclose in this one. I had no knowledge that Joe had “gone west” until I was sail- ing and met an otticer from the 30th Engineers. I can’t tell you how badly I felt, or how my hatred of the Hun increased. Joe is the first otlicer we have lost, and to ({uote his Rattalion Commander the best! Mr. Hanlon, I only jiray tbat 1 may bave the cbance to get back in the line soon, to carry on the work that has to be done and for wbich Joe gave his life. I want to give ’em one wallop for Joe, and you can bet sir, that be has not died in vain, but for the first stroke in winning the biggest war in history — representing the highest ideals. Extend my sincere synpiathy to Mrs. Hanlon. 1 know how she must suffer, how other mothers are suffering. Extract enclosed in a letter from Encij H. Cattett. ‘ “1 couldn’t finish yesterday, and today 1 have very little inclination to ramble on. Joe Hanlon, a lieutenant of Comjiany R, and three men were killed by a shell last night at the front. It is the first death among 26

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(rirl” he called her, and he confided to me that it was “the girl” that he saw in his dreams. Joe was awarded the Croix de Guerre with gold star on June 18 by General Passayu of the VIII Army, 32nd Corps, for work done for die French Army. The battle is still going on, but we brought Joe back to pay our last respects. He is leaving this evening for La Vide Aux Bois, far to the rear, where he will be buried with full military and religious honors. As a boy, we loved him; as an officer we admired him; as a man we respected him. His life was lost while looking after his men in action. Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Recommendation for Promotion. From: Commanding Officer, 30th Engineers, A. E. F. To: Chief Engineer Officer, A. E. F. Subject: Promotion to First Lientenant, N. A. 1. It is requested that Second Lieutenant Joseph Thomas Hanlon he promoted to a First Lieutenant, N. A. 2. Lieutenant Hanlon has proven his worth in actual front line work and is now carrying the responsibility of the higher grade. 8. The recommendation is based solely on observation of service. E. J. Atkisson, Lientenant-Colonel, 30th Engineers, N. A. From Major J. E. Mills. In looking over the files of the 1st Gas Regiment a few days ago, I came across a copy of the letter which I enclose, knowing that you would wish to see it, if it has not already been sent to you by some one else. The signer, T. Gilliland, was captain of the British Special Com- pany to which the platoon under Lieutenant Hanlon was assigned when we were on the British front. It is particularly gratifying to have such a letter from an experienced British officer who was in no way con- nected with our regiment. I admired and liked Joe Hanlon ])ersonally very much indeed — as in fact every one did who knew him. He was not only a hrave man, hut he was a clean man with high ideals, and always bright and cheery. I can assure you that none of us who knew him will ever forget him. No words of praise for him can lessen the loss, hut he left a record of which you may well be proud. 2.5

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the oliicers of the 30th, so it hits us all pretty hard, espeeially since Joe was everyhody’s friend, and eycryhody knew he was all man. From Caplaiii (Charles Parkinson Wood. Haying just returned from France on a s])ccial trip, and thinking constantly about the sadness which came oyer all “The 3()th” the night before I started, I want you to know that I am here and that I should like to take adyantage of the first oiiportunity to see you. Am going to Hoston tonight hut shall be here again in a few days. I trust that you feel how eyery one in our regiment shares your loss. A good friend to all, to some of us a brother; we wish only that what we ourselyes feet so keenly could be a comfort to you. From Lieutenant Front .Jiidson, .Jr. The news about Joe has just come to us on another jiart of the front, and today an otticial notice of his funeral with military honors has arriyed from our regimental headquarters. You remember he was with Company A for a long time. That is my company, too. We both started from the States together. Oh, Mr. Hanlon, I can’t think of that boy without tears in my eyes. We all loyed and resjiccted him, and he was always so cheerful and good-natured, and at the same time a cajiable, keen otticcr. His loss is a terrible blow to us and I can assure you that this jilatoon of Coni- ])any A tliat he led for a time, will neyer forget him. They know him for the man he was and they will be thinking of him the next time we get at the Hoche. God knows I’d do alt in my power to bring him back to you. Joe gaye his life for his country. May he be with you now. I ' rom IJeiitenant I3en I erris. May I, in behalf of this Company, tender you the jrrofoimd sym- pathy which we feel in the loss of your son. Lieutenant Hanlon. We had all learned to res])ect his abilities in the field, hut our regret in his loss is greater in that we had come to regard him as a friend and as such we mourn his loss. In respect to his memory and to assuage your grief, if only the slightest, his remains were carried hack to the regimental headcfuarters and there giycn a soldier’s burial near friends who will still watch oyer him. I ' rom IJeiitenant Thomas II. Beddalt. As one ot Joe’s many friends, I am writing you to exj)rcss our deej) syinj)athy tor his loss to you and your tainily. e shall miss him yery 27