JOHN C.P. HANLEY

Colonel Hanley, Veteran of Both World Wars, Is Dead
Funeral Services to Be Held Wednesday
Col. John C.P. Hanley, 59, of 809 North Sixth street, a veteran of two
World wars, and who, in World War II, was in charge of transportation
for the Allied forces in the Normandy invasion, died suddenly late
Saturday night at the Holy Family hospital.
Colonel Hanley was stricken ill on Friday and rushed to the hospital.
He was given blood transfusions Saturday but failed to rally.
Funeral services will be held at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Urbanek
and Schlei funeral home and at 9 o'clock at the Holy Innocents church.
The Rev. E.A. Radey will officiate and interment will be in Evergreen
cemetery. There will be military rites at the graveside.
Colonel Hanley was connected with the Wsconsin national guard for more
than 30 years and in recent years, since coming to Manitowoc, had
supervised the publication of the National Guard Review, out of the
state adjutant general's office in Madison. Highlights in his career
include the award of the croix de guerre by the Republic of France and
the legion of merit by the United States in 1945 for his services in
the last war.
Recalled to Service
He went overseas with this division and following the armistice remained
with the army of occupation in Germany. When he returned to this country
he located at Stanley and rejoined the Wisconsin national guard. He was
commander of the 105th cavalry from 1920 to 1940, when he was again
called to active service, as quartermaster of the 32nd division.
When the guard was called to active service in World War II in 1910
Colonel Hanley left with his outfit for Camp Livingston, La., where
he spent a year and was transferred to the east coast to organize a
transportation district comprising eight states.
As the fighting in Europe grew in intensity he was assigned there. Soon
after his arrival in England he was named base transportation officer for
Normandy. The scope of this assignment gradually broadened as the Ailied
armies advanced until he was made chief of transportation, which included
the United Kingdom and the liberated countries of Europe. After working
for several weeks in cross channel operations he was transferred to France.
One of his main duties was moving of supplies to the front lines.
2 Outstanding Awards
On July 18, 1945, Colonel Hanley, with two other Wisconsin army officers,
was awarded the croix de guerre in front of Napoleons' tomb in Paris, in
recognition for exceptional service during the liberation of France. Later
that year he was awarded the nation's fourth highest decoration, the
legion of merit, for his organization of the Normandy base section in 1944
and 1945. This ceremony took place at Brussels, Belgium.
Colonel Hanley's peacetime activities included the mercantile field. From
1930 to 1940 he was store manager for the Johnson-Hill Mercantile company
at Chilton. He came to Manitowoc from that city a few years ago.
He was a member of the Drews-Bleser post of the American Legion, the Oas
post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Amvets and the 40 et 8.
In 1919, colonel Hanley married Miss Ruth Broderick of this city. She
died in 1923. On Sept. 14, 1942, he married Miss Belle Broderick of this
city, a sister of his first wife. She survives with two sons, (Survivors
omitted for privacy.); two brothers, James of Carthage, Mo., and William L.
of Stanley.
Friends may call at the funeral home after Tuesday noon, where the rosary
will be recited at 7:45 Tuesday evening.
Manitowoc Herald Times, Monday, July 24, 1950 P.1
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[age 58 yrs./bur. on Mrs. Elizabeth Broderick lot]