"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as a fighter pilot attached to Marine Fighting Squadron TWO FIFTEEN in action against Japanese forces at
Bougainville Islands, November 1, 1943, and New Britain Island, January
24, 1944. Undeterred by fierce opposition and fearless in the face of
overwhelming odds, First Lieutenant Hanson fought the Japanese boldly
and with daring aggressiveness. On November 1, while flying cover for
our landing operations at Empress Augusta Bay, he dauntlessly attacked
six enemy torpedo bombers, forcing them to jettison their bombs and
destroying one Japanese plane during the action. Cut off from his
division while deep in enemy territory during a high cover flight over Simpson Harbor on January 24, First Lieutenant Hanson waged a lone and
gallant battle against hostile interceptors as they were orbiting to
attack our bombers and, striking with devastating fury, brought down
four Zeros and probably a fifth. Handling his plane superbly in both
pursuit and attack measures, he was a master of individual air combat,
accounting for a total of 25 Japanese aircraft in this theater of war.
His great personal valor and invincible fighting spirit were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
From 1Lt. Hanson's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on August 19, 1944.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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