Henry J. Hanson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Status: Featured Story
"My mom, Olga Seglem, was born at home in 1913 in Duluth's West End. Her parents were Norwegian immigrants. Like many of the neighborhood's residents her family belonged to the local Methodist Church and went to Lincoln Junior high and Denfeld High School.
Like many of her generation she did not finish high school. She completed tenth grade and went to work. She met another young Norwegian-American from the neighborhood, Henry J Hanson. They dated, (which her parents probably were not too happy about. They were "Old School" immigrants and had mixed feelings about American lifestyle, which was changing in the 1920's).
The young couple was married in about 1935. Henry was able to get a job at local bank. After a time, (this was during the Depression), my mom got a job at a bakery. They were not able to have children. They did have lots of friends and both their families lived close at hand. (common before WWII).
When America went to war Henry was called up for a physical. At first he was rejected but in late 1943 he was called up. He was sent to Fort Snelling and my mom was able to visit. Some of these photos are taken there in about Feb. 1944.
In April he was sent to Ft. McClellan in Alabama for what is today called Advanced Infantry Training. Before he left he came home on leave. Some of these photos are taken in the West End of Duluth at this time. As far as I know they are both the last photos of Henry and my mom. They are also, I suspect, among the last photos of Henry ever taken. (It is possible he was in snapshots taken by fellow G.I's but I have no way of knowing).
Henry was sent to Europe and Patton's 3rd U.S. Army in, most likely, late June or early July, 1944. The Third Army was advancing across south central France and in late August approached the city of Nancy on the Moselle River. In a two pronged movement they attempted to take the approaches and bridges. After ferocious fighting they succeeded but loses were severe.
I do not know exactly what day Henry Hanson was killed. I think it had to have been during the last week of August or the first week of September.
His shrapnel pierced wallet and other personal mementos, including three photos, were sent home. These photos also have been hit by shrapnel. My mom had moved back in with her parents in the West End when she got the news. She left Duluth and spent the rest of the War in Southern California with a friend. She returned in late 1945. She met my dad who had recently been discharged from the Coast Guard and were married in Dec. 1947. I was born in August, 1948 and three sisters followed.
I have known this story for much of my life. I met both of Henry's parents as well as his sister Margaret. My mom remained close to them and my dad got along with them just great.
My mom died in 1986 and all of Henry's relatives are now gone as well. They had no children and thus this story could well be forgotten. Through the efforts of the St. Louis County Historical Society's Veterans Memorial Hall, however, it now lives on. Thanks for this opportunity to tell it.
