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Charles B. Hanson '54

No. 1991229 November 1930 - 1 May 1976

Died: In Minneapolis, MN  

Interred: Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN

Charles Benjamin Hanson was born on 29 November 1930 in Monticello, Wright County, MN, and entered the United States Military Academy from Minnesota in 1949. Charlie, as he was known by classmates and friends, received his appointment from Representative Andersen of the 7th Congressional District. Charlie was proud of his Norwegian heritage and his family. Classmates joked with Charlie about his intense pride in his Norwegian heritage by calling him “The Norwegian.”

 

Charlie’s father, Magnor Andrew Hanson, was born in Tromso, Norway, in 1892. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1912 and was naturalized in 1917 in North Dakota. Magnor was drafted into the Army in 1917 and served as an infantryman in Europe for about one year before World War I ended. After returning to North Dakota, he married Esther Belle Klein. During the early years of their marriage, Magnor worked as a farmer and Esther as a school teacher. Later, the Hanson family moved to Morris, MN, where they lived when Charlie received his appointment to USMA. The Hansons operated the Morris Oil Company, consisting of a gas station, garage, grocery store, and rental apartments. Charlie’s mother died in 1944 at the age of 46. Charlie’s father died in 1961 at the age of 70. Charlie had three older siblings, one brother, and two sisters. The oldest sibling was Mavis Hanson Groth, who was born in 1920 and died in 2004. After attending the University of Minnesota, she spent several years in Washington, DC, working for the War Department during World War II. Marvin Andrew Hanson was born in 1921, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and died in 1969. The youngest sibling was Betty Hanson Erenberg, who was born in 1922 and died in 2002.

As a cadet, Charlie often reminisced about his sister Betty, of whom he was very proud. Betty became interested in flying when she was 14 years old. She received her private pilot’s license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program of the University of Minnesota. Betty served in the Civil Air Patrol before joining the Women’s Air Force Service Pilot program as part of the World War II mobilization. After serving as a WASP, ferrying replacement aircraft from the USA to England, Betty was assigned as an Engineering Test Pilot. After the WASP members were deactivated in 1944, Betty returned to Minnesota, where she married Richard Erenberg.

Charlie started his education in Morris, where he attended Longfellow School for six years. He then attended Shattuck School, a private Episcopal military prep school in Faribault, MN, for six years. After Charlie graduated from the Shattuck School, he enrolled at Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, where he spent one year before receiving his appointment to USMA.

After spending his plebe year as a member of the Class of 1953, Charlie was turned back to the Class of 1954. He was assigned to Company K-1. During his upperclass years, Charlie’s academic performance rose to the extent that he was requested to coach others during his Second Class year. Charlie was a good athlete, competing with the USMA track team in the pole vault for four years. He was among the top performers of his class in the Cadet Physical Aptitude tests.

Upon graduation, Charlie was commissioned in the Infantry. His first duty, during 1954–55, was at Ft. Benning, where he was with many West Point classmates. He attended the Infantry Officers Basic Course, Ranger School, and Airborne training.

After completing this training, Charlie was assigned to the 65th Infantry at Camp Losey, Puerto Rico, where he served as a pla­toon leader, company executive officer, and battalion communications officer. About one year later, Charlie was transferred to the 33rd Infantry Regiment in Panama. After serving briefly as a platoon leader, Charlie became a company commander. He subsequently was an instructor at the Jungle Warfare Training Center. During his time as a company grade officer, Charlie served numerous times as a prosecutor in courts martial cases, one of his least liked duties. Charlie returned to Ft. Hamilton, where, as a first lieutenant, he was separated from active duty in June 1957. He then served in the Reserves from June 1957 to August 1962.

As a civilian, Charlie worked in California for the Douglas Aircraft Company, which later merged with the McDonald Aircraft Company. Charlie worked as an Aviation Engineer on the Skybolt Program, a development program for launching ballistic missiles from B-52 aircraft. In December 1962, the Skybolt Program was terminated because other programs seemed more cost effective and operationally promising.

Upon termination of the Skybolt Program, Charlie returned to Minnesota, where he worked until his death in Minneapolis on 1 May 1976. Charlie died of cardiomyopathy. His mother and brother had also died from heart disease at early ages. Charlie was buried at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota.

Charlie is remembered by his classmates as a quiet person who exhibited a cheerful personality and was always ready to help others. Regrettably, Charlie’s death at an early age left a void and deprived family, classmates and other friends of his valued friendship. Rest in peace, good friend.

—Company K-1 classmates

 

Originally published in JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2008 TAPS

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