D-Day POW recalls his capture

Antipodean Andy · Jun 10, 2008

D-Day Veteran Shares World War II Experience | The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

For the Rev. William Hannen, D-Day will always conjure up memories of service, sacrifice and, in the end, closure.

Weirton resident Hannen recently spoke at a meeting of the Fort Steuben Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution about his experiences in World War II, and he specifically recalled events on D-Day.

Hannen is a 1938 graduate of the former Wells High School in Steubenville.

He recalled the day — Aug. 22, 1940, at the age of 26 — when he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C. in the 9th Division Medical Corps.

“Signing up was the thing to do in the ’40s,” said Hannen, a first generation American who wanted to be an Army medic. His parents came to America from Scotland.

Later he was transferred to Camp Claiborne, La., in the 82nd Division, where he volunteered for paratrooper duty and “earned $50 per month,” he said. Hannen then was assigned to the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne under the command of Maj. Gen. William Lee, who said the 101st Division “had no history but would have a destiny.”

Hannen was one of more than 160,000 Allied troops who took part in D-Day, June 6, 1944, landing along a 50-mile stretch of French coastline and fighting on the beaches of Normandy. That night, Hannen made his 25th jump from a plane at 350 feet onto a field near St. Mary Glace.

When he landed, he said, one of his comrades had injured his hip, and Hannen was ordered to stay with the injured soldier. While waiting, they were approached by German soldiers and captured as prisoners of war. Hannen said he was held for 325 days with no place to bathe, and he was not given a change of clothing.

During his captivity, Hannen recalled, he was locked up in boxcars without food or water for as long as three days — and he shed more than 30 pounds. He noted the majority of his meals consisted of cabbage soup and sometimes spoiled meat.

“The thought that I might survive is what got me from day to day,” Hannen said.

Even after his release, Hannen said he held animosity toward the Germans for many years.

“I could not forgive them what they did for the longest time, but you can’t let hate consume you forever,” said Hannen.

Hannen was discharged from the Army on Sept. 2, 1945, and he brought with him multiple medals. They included the French Liberation-American Victory Medal, a Purple Heart, Bronze Combat Medic Badge, Good Conduct POW Medal-European Theater and American Defense Award-American Theater Operation.

Hannen said he moved on with his life and eventually graduated from the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. in 1961. As an ordained minister, he has served churches in West Virginia and Maryland. He retired in 1981 from the Baltimore Conference of Churches.

Hannen has been married to his wife, the former Urdella Daugherty, for 63 years.

“It feels like we just got married a few months ago,” he said.

He recalled dating Urdella before he was deployed, and they continued to date her his active military time.

When he returned home, they wasted no time tying the knot.

“He came home and we were married a week later,” said Urdella.
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Nostalgair · Jun 11, 2008

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the thread.

There's also a great book called, "D-Day Plus One" by "Dutch" Holland about his evasion after being shot down.

Amazon.co.uk: D-day Plus One: Shot Down and on the Run in France: Frank 'Dutch' Holland; Adam Wilkins: Books

Cheers

Owen

Antipodean Andy · Jun 11, 2008

Thanks Owen, I've been trying to remember that book to add it to my list. :hug:

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