World War II Honoree

Vernon Hanes

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert M. Gatewood

Relationship

Friend

DRAFTED 1943 AT THE AGE OF 35, WAS KNOWN AS 'PAPPY HANES' WITH EVERY UNIT HE WAS WITH. LEFT NEW YORK CITY ON JULY 1, 1944 (HIS 36TH BIRTHDAY) FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. JOINED GENERAL PATTON'S 3RD ARMY AS A COOK AND PARTICIPATED IN 8 MAJOR OPERATIONS FROM FRANCE TO THE END OF THE WAR IN EUROPE, IN AUSTRIA. THE 3RD ARMY'S ACHIEVEMENTS GAVE NEW MEANING TO 'HARD CHARGING, HARD HITTING, MOBILE WARFARE' AND VERIFIED NAPOLEON'S AXIOM THAT AN ARMY MARCHES ON ITS STOMACH.