World War II Honoree

John J. Hagan, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Kingston, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Nicole Hagan Wolensky

Relationship

Granddaughter

COLONEL. FOUGHT FOR 18 MONTHS IN ITALY WITH THE 5TH ARMY, 85TH (CUSTER) DIVISION, 339TH INFANTRY. AT THAT TIME HE WAS A 2ND LIEUTENANT. HE LANDED IN NAPLES AND MOVED NORTH, TAKING ROME AND CONTINUING AS FAR AS THE AUSTRIAN ALPS. HE WON A SILVER STAR WHEN HE LED HIS PLATOON BETWEEN 2 MOUNTAINS TO TAKE A KEY HILL, FOUGHT 4 HOURS AND HAVING BEEN HIT, LED HIS MEN BACK TO SAFETY. HE WAS HIT TWICE MORE ON THE WAY BACK, BUT REALIZING 1 MAN WAS MISSING, HE WENT BACK FOR THE LOST SOLDIER AND SAVED HIS LIFE. HE ALSO RECEIVED A PURPLE HEART FOR BEING WOUNDED IN THIS ENDEAVOR. WAS ALSO AWARDED 2 BRONZE STARS: 1 FOR LEADING THE CHARGE ACROSS A RIVER IN FLORENCE UNDER HEAVY FIRE AND 1 FOR LEADING WHAT WAS LEFT OF HIS PLATOON BACK FROM BEHIND GERMAN LINES UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS AFTER THE CAPTAIN LEFT THE MEN TO MAKE HIS OWN WAY BACK.