Herman H. Hanneken

Infobox Military Person
name= Herman Henry Hanneken
born= Birth date|1893|6|23
died= Death date and age|1986|8|23|1893|6|23
placeofbirth= St. Louis, Missouri
placeofdeath= La Jolla, California
placeofburial=


caption= Brigadier General Herman H. Hanneken, Medal of Honor recipient
nickname=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1914-1948
rank= Brigadier General
commands= USS Antares 7th Marines
unit=
battles= World War I Haiti Banana Wars World War II *Battle of Guadalcanal *Battle of Peleliu *Operation Cartwheel
awards= Medal of Honor Navy Cross (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star
laterwork=
Brigadier General Herman Henry Hanneken (23 June 1893–23 August 1986) was a United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient. While on duty in Haiti in 1919, Hanneken suppressed the activities of the supreme rebel leader, Charlemagne Péralte, by killing the notorious rebel. Hanneken was disguised and led into the rebels camp in Northern Haiti by Jean-Baptiste Conze, one of Peralte's officers who betrayed the charismatic rebel leader. In the short skirmish that ensued Perlate was shot in the heart for which Henneken was awarded the Medal of Honor.

A renowned fighter of rebel forces, in another daring raid just five months following the execution of Charlemagne, he shot and killed Osiris Joseph, a lesser Haitian rebel chieftain who succeeded Charlemagne. He was awarded the Navy Cross for this act of heroism.

He served in the Marine Corps for thirty-four years, participating in both World War I and World War II. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star for actions during World War II.

Biography

Herman Henry Hanneken as born on 23 June 1893, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended the Henrick Preparatory School in that city. He enlisted in the Marine Corps as a private in July 1914, and served the following five years in the enlisted ranks, rising to the rank of Sergeant. He was appointed a Second Lieutenant in December 1919, following his deed of valor in the killing of Charlemagne Péralte.

Upon appointment as a Second Lieutenant he was assigned to duty with the Haitian Gendarmerie. He was ordered to return to the United States in April 1920, and following his arrival at the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia, he was assigned to a special course at the Marine Corps Schools.

As a member of the 6th Regiment, 1stLt Hanneken sailed for Brazil to participated in the Brazilian Exposition. The unit returned to Quantico in the latter part of 1922, and several months later, he was transferred to the Marine Detachment, USS "Antares", where he assumed duties as Commanding Officer.

In January 1925, he was transferred to the Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, and in April 1927, was detached to the Marine Barracks at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Again ordered to foreign shore duty in December 1928, he arrived in Corinto, Nicaragua in January of the following year. Upon his arrival in Nicaragua he was assigned to duty with the 2nd Brigade of Marines.

It was in this Central American country, less than a month after his arrival, that he captured another notorious bandit leader. He was awarded his second Navy Cross for "bringing in" bandit chieftain Sandino's Chief of Staff, General Jiron.

In July 1930, he was returned to Quantico to attend the Company Officers' Course at the Marine Corps Schools. Upon graduation in January of the next year, he was transferred to the Marine Corps Base at San Diego, California, and later to the Naval Base, at San Pedro, California. His next assignment found him at the Marine Barracks, Mare Island, California, in August 1936, where during his tour of duty he was appointed a major.

Major Hanneken was ordered to Quantico in June 1938, and two months later reported for a course of instruction at that base in the Senior Course, Marine Corps Schools.

From June 1939 to December 1940, he was Commanding Officer, Marine Barracks, Naval Ammunition Depot, Hingham, Massachusetts. He was next ordered to New York to assume command of the Marine Detachment aboard the USS "Harry Lee" with additional duties as Transport Quartermaster.

He served with the 1st Marine Division from June 1941 until November 1944, when he returned to the United States to command the 2nd Infantry Training Regiment and the Headquarters Battalion, at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California.

While with the famed 1st Marine Division his duties were varied. While Commanding Officer of the 7th Marines during the Guadalcanal campaign he was awarded the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy. During the Peleliu action he received the Legion of Merit for meritorious conduct in action, and during the Cape Gloucester operation he was decorated with the Bronze Star .

In September 1945, he was assigned as Commanding Officer of the Staging Regiment at the Marine Training and Replacement Command, San Diego Area, prior to his transfer to the Troop Training Unit, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet.

It was as Chief of Staff of that organization that he was transferred to the retired list for Marine Corps Officers. He retired on 1 July 1948, concluding a thirty-four-year career in the Marine Corps. He was advanced to his final rank of brigadier general upon his retirement for having been specially commended for service in actual combat.

Brigadier General Hanneken died on 23 August 1986 at the Veterans Hospital in LaJolla, California, and was buried with honors four days later at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. He was 93 years old.

Honors and awards

Medal of Honor citation

HANNEKEN, Herman Henry 2nd Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps G. O. Navy Department, No. 536 June 10, 1920

Citation:

:For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in actual conflict with the enemy near GRANDE RIVIERE, Republic of Haiti, on the night of October 31st-November 1st, 1919, resulting in the death of Charlemange Peralte, the supreme bandit chief in the Republic of Haiti, and the killing and capture and dispersal of about 1200 of his outlaw followers. Second Lieutenant Hanneken not only distinguished himself by his excellent judgement and leadership, but unhesitatingly exposed himself to great personal danger, and the slightest error would have forfeited not only his life but the lives of the detachments of Gendarmerie under his command. The successful termination of his mission will undoubtedly prove of untold value to the Republic of Haiti.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients

References

:Marine Corps
*cite web|accessdate=
url=http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Historical/Whos_Who/Hanneken_HH.htm
archiveurl=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Hanneken_HH.htm
archivedate=2008-01-24
title=Brigadier General Herman H. Hanneken, USMC
work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History
publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps
*cite web|accessdate=
url=http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255fa40059a2da?OpenDocument |title=Medal of Honor — 2ndLt Herman H. Hanneken (Medal of Honor citation)
work=Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor
publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps
archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070222175600/http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255fa40059a2da?OpenDocument
archivedate=2007-02-28
*findagrave|9724 Retrieved on 2007-10-29

Persondata
NAME= Hanneken, Herman H.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH= 23 June 1893
PLACE OF BIRTH= St. Louis, Missouri
DATE OF DEATH= 23 August 1986
PLACE OF DEATH= La Jolla, California