Rip WW2 veteran & POW

[LoboGunLeather]

Dale Hanson has passed away. Served in the US Army during WW2 with the 101st Airborne Division. Captured by German forces during the Battle of the Bulge, spent the remainder of WW2 in a German POW camp.

Dale was of Cherokee Indian descent and had a dark complexion and prominent nose. He spoke about his German army captors interpreting those features as proof of Jewish heritage, and Dale experienced both threats of execution and a mock execution.

When liberated from the POW camp and sent home Dale found that his sweetheart had given him up for dead and was engaged to another young man. That problem was corrected, they married and spent the remainder of their lives together.

Dale's daughter Rhonda was one of my wife's girlhood friends. Dale spent much time with the girls on camping and fishing trips. He also enjoyed hunting for deer, elk, and pheasants during his many years in Rocky
Ford, Colorado.

Having served in the 101st Airborne Division myself (albeit a quarter century after Dale's service) I was made welcome into the family home.

Dale passed away in Reno, Nevada early this week in the company of his daughter Rhonda. He will be missed by all who knew him.

 

[M E Morrison]

May he rest in peace.
My condolences to his family& friends.

 

[rwsmith]

Only a NAZI.....

Only a nazi could look at a native American and come up with 'Jewish'. Well, maybe they really ARE the 'lost tribe of Israel'.

 

[Ozark Marine]

Rest in peace.
You lived a honorable life.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Curahee...

Dale Hanson has passed away. Served in the US Army during WW2 with the 101st Airborne Division. Captured by German forces during the Battle of the Bulge, spent the remainder of WW2 in a German POW camp.

Dale was of Cherokee Indian descent and had a dark complexion and prominent nose. He spoke about his German army captors interpreting those features as proof of Jewish heritage, and Dale experienced both threats of execution and a mock execution.

When liberated from the POW camp and sent home Dale found that his sweetheart had given him up for dead and was engaged to another young man. That problem was corrected, they married and spent the remainder of their lives together.

Dale's daughter Rhonda was one of my wife's girlhood friends. Dale spent much time with the girls on camping and fishing trips. He also enjoyed hunting for deer, elk, and pheasants during his many years in Rocky
Ford, Colorado.

Having served in the 101st Airborne Division myself (albeit a quarter century after Dale's service) I was made welcome into the family home.

Dale passed away in Reno, Nevada early this week in the company of his daughter Rhonda. He will be missed by all who knew him.

"Stands Alone."

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Truly a member of the greatest generation!!!

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Men like Dale were common back then. All of my WW2 friends are long gone. Even my freshman teacher who was captured during The Battle of the Bulge. My self I honor these brave Americans that fought all over the world to bring peace to our nation. I wonder as they look down now & wonder if it was all worth it?

 

[shouldazagged]

Rest well, old warrior. You earned it richly.

 

[onebadvet]

Truly sad to hear that another hero from the greatest generations has left us, gone but not forgotten.

 

[the ringo kid]

May he Rest in Peace. You guys said it all--the man was a standout gent.

 

[AJ]

The cycle never ends........Now the WWII vets, next the Korean Vets, then it will be us that served in Viet Nam..........RIP Sir.