George R. Hanson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
George R. Hanson of Duluth, Minnesota, entered the Naval Reserve on August 15, 1942.
He was a Radioman 1st Class and qualified battle radio operator on the USS Rhine (DD 404), European and Pacific Theaters. He was on escort duty to Casablanca where 5 ships were sunk enroute. The Rhine was among the first U.S. vessels in Mediterranean. His ship had escort dutyduring the invasion of Sicily, Salerno and Anzio. He was also assigned escort duty of aircraft carriers in the Pacific.
Mr. Hanson was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Service Medal with three bronze battle stars, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal.
He was honorablydischarged Dec. 17, 1945.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 101.
