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

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ilie funeral, as so much was thought of Lieutenant Hanlon. His coffin was decorated with an American hag, and big designs of roses and lilies presented by the officers of the Hegiment. The tuneral took place at 9.30 in the morning of a fine day and the regimental band played going in and coming out.’’ Please accept the deep and heartfelt sympathv of the Red Cross in your great sorrow. Second letter from the American Red Cross. We know that you have already received from the War Depart- llie sad news of Lieutenant Hanlon’s death. We have just received a few more details concerning this Officer ' s death and burial which we know you will be grateful to have. Sergeant Banner tells us that: Lieutenant Hanlon was killed at Chateau-Thierry. 1 have seen his grave at Chaumont in the American Cemeterv. Chemical War- fare Service Headquarters ' Training Station was named Hanlon Field in his ho nor, and a stone set up at the entrance of the field. It is just a plain stick of granite. He was our first officer to be killed and he was one of the finest.’’ We are also told bv Private Percy E. Cram that Lieutenant Hanlon was killed by concussion but did not suffer. He was buried in the American Cemetery at Chaumont, with military honors. Private Henry B. LeFort also tells us that Lieutenant Hanlon died without suffering, apparently. He said that Private William Fisher carried him hack to the First Aid Dressing Station. He said that Lieutenant Hanlon was hit while warning his men to take cover, and that he exposed himself in order to consider the safety of his men. We fell that your grief will he softened by these beautiful tributes to the memory of this brave officer. The Red Cross extends to you its deep sympathy in your loss. Third letter from the American Red Cross. There is no greater tribute to a man than can come from those who have been with him constantly and have braved with him the horrors and dangers of a war such as this has been, and as we have received a few additional words concerning the death of Lieutenant Hanlon, we shall write them to you. Private John W. Estabrook tells us that: ‘T sav, ' Lieutenant Hanlon in his coffin at the Company Head- quarters before they took him to Cliaumont. He died on the stretcher going to the dressing station. He asked the two boys who were carry- ing him for a drink of water. He did not complain of pain. They 31

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Private F. W. Le vis gave the following repoii lo one of our Red Cross searehers in Franee: ' Lieiitenanl Hanlon of Ihe llOlh Fngineers, now Isl (fas Regiment, was killed by shrapnel and buried at Chaumont. Hanlon had only ])een over a short time, but was very popular. After his death the men used to say: ‘That is one for Joe’ every time they put a shell in a gun. A gas exi)eriment field near Chaumont was named for Hanlon.” From Private Albert R. Hieks, our Red Cross representatives re- eeived the following information : “Lieutenant Hanlon was killed by a direct hit of a six-inch shell. They buried him at Hanlon Field, near Chaumont (about five kilo- meters from Chaumont). The Field was named for Hanlon. He was the first man killed in the regiment. He was a fine, brave lieutenant and loved by all of us.” Private John L. Davis gave the following account to one of our Red Cross workers in France: “I was with Lieutenant Hanlon. R happened up at Chateau- Thierry. A shell exploded and he was hit by shrapnel in the left shoulder. He was in charge of a platoon, taking it up to the front line. It was late in the evening, after dark, and I was nearly within speaking distance of him. I attended his burial at Chaumont, where he was buried in the American Cemetery. Yhen I get back I will look his father up in Raltimore and I can tell him more.” From Private Chaunce} Goff we have the following reiiort: “Lieutenant Hanlon was killed in action in Chateau-Thierry, on July 30. They buried him at Chaumont. He was one of the best otticers I ever knew.” Private Maurice L. Rainey gave the following description of Lieu- tenant Hanlon’s burial : “I attended Lieutenant Hanlon’s funeral which took place about one kilometer outside of Chaumont in an American cemetery, about the first of August. Tbe grave is a separate one near those of other otticers, close to the fence surrounding the cemetery. A Catholic priest read the service and Lieutenant Hanlon was buried with full military iionors, with three companies of the 30th Engineers attending.” “Lieutenant Hanlon came from Raltimore, I think. He had a fine reputation in his Company, and everyone sj oke well of him. A gas ex])erimental field outside of Chaumont was named ‘Hanlon Field’ in iionor of him. Chaumont is in the Dc])artment of Haute Marne and Lieutenant Hanlon’s grave is but a little way from the Marne river. A holiday was granted to the 3()th Engineers so that they could attend 30

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raised liiiii up to ltd liiiii drink, and vht ' n they laid hini down he was dead. He was extremely liked by everyone and was jnst like one ot the hoys. Jnst to show yon one side of him, when one ol his boys, Panow ' ski, who was the first to he killed, tell, Hanlon stoi)})ed to ])iek him np and the shell slrnek him then right through the ehesl. He was eertainly a prinee.” Another soldier. Private Leo MeCirail, tells ns that he would he glad to write to Lieutenant Llanlon’s family, if they would like to hear more of the death of this brave young ottieer, and says that Hanlon Avas a wonderful man. We wall say no more in praise of this young otlieer, hut merely extend to yon again onr deepest sympathy in the loss of such a gallant soul. Details of the death of Lieateiiant Hanlon, written by Private John Twohig. I have written this letter to yon to express my admiration of your son Joseph who gave his life for his country Avhilc in command of our ])latoon. Perhaps yon might like to know ' of some of the experiences Ave had and also hoAv all the fclloAvs felt toAvard Joe. When I first saAA him in Washington, D. C., he Avas attached to Company A, 30th Engineers, and all the hoys in that Company told ns he Avas a fine man and game. Yon may Avonder Avhy I Avrote “game.” The privates in the Army alAvays consider an officer from that standpoint. An officer may he a good felloAv, hut if he is not game the felloAvs lack confidence in him and do not like to go in the front line Avith such an otficer in charge. Joe Avorked AA ' ith CompaiiA A on the British front in Flanders, and Avhen Ave Avent to the American sector near Toni he Avas assigned to the 1st platoon, Comjiany B. On June 30, Ave left the Toni scclor and Avent to the toAvn of Montmenard. It is located on the Marne river, about 15 miles southeast of Chateau-Thierry. There Ave became more intimately acquainted Avith Joe. The Americans realized it Avas a critical time as the Germans Avcrc daily gaining more territory. We Avcrc told Ave might he used as infantry at any time. While Ave had some fine ofiicers, not one could compare Avilh Lieutenant Hanlon in teaching infantry drill and use of bayonet. The felloAvs alAvays snajiped into it and drilled Avith a lot of “pep” Avhen Joe Avas in charge. A more congenial comjianion and instructor Ave could not have had. In the afternoon, Avhen drill jieriod Avas finished, Lieutenants Hanlon and Payne Avould take us doAvn to the river for a .SAvim. 32