The Hansen Brothers in WWII Part 2 Jack Hansen (Hansen)

   

  Jack Klemmet Hansen entered WWII as part of Company E, 115th Combat Engineers  on March 3, 1941. Company E was a part of the California National Guard at the time.  It was a replacement regiment of the old 40th Division, and was mobilized in 1941 as California's 40th Infantry Division in response to the war in Europe. 

  Uncle Jack's division was sent to Camp San Luis Obispo for training which included training around Morro Bay to learn to build ponton bridges,  and then a short stint at Fort Lewis, Washington.  I am sharing just some of the hundreds of photographs my Uncle took .  Thankfully, he was very good at writing descriptions on the back of a few of his photos. These are photos from San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay and Fort Lewis.  He did not take the Fort Lewis photos; they look like they were purchased as souvenirs.  Jack added his own descriptions to the back. 

Jack's Enlistment Letter

Jack Hansen reporting for duty Camp San Luis Obispo.

                                                                      

 

                                     "Third Squad Second Platoon" Jack Hansen is second from right.  

    Uncle Jack had clerical experience and was assigned to  U.S. Post Office duties.            

      He is standing in the middle, on the right. 

"San Luis Obispo Morro Bay bridge maneuvers"

"Geo. Davisdson and Ivan Labrum"

"Ponton bridge and Morro Rock"

"Rifle Range"

 

  "A good picture of Fort Lewis-South, the portion in which we are located.  The arrow points to the present site of A.P.O. 40 and is our home....."

                                                    " Another good weapon for beating off the Axis."

                                                          "I have helped construct obstacles like these." 

  In September of 1942 the division arrived in Hawaii and moved to defensive positions on the outer Islands.  

    A pose with the pipe.

                                                                "Hanalei Valley, in northern Kauai."

   In October, the 40th took up jungle and amphibious training in preparation for offensive operations, and moved to Guadalcanal for further training.  According to California's Own: The History of the 40th Infantry Division (www.militarymuseum.org/division.html)  the division didn't battle the Japanese, they instead fought the island's muddy conditions, its swamps and mosquito-born malaria.  They then moved to Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island.  

                Uncle Jack is in the middle row, second from the left, with his ever present pipe. 

                          Army Post Office No. 40.  Uncle Jack standing to the right of the pole. 

           

                                               Working conditions at the Army Post Office No. 40.........

Description on the back.."My home on New Britain.  Charles Custer posing.  Note the clothesline and wash stand.  The mountain in the rear is a volcano.  A mass of jungle growth covers the whole area." 

  Uncle Jack also had pictures obviously taken during his service during the war.  At one point he was in Liege, Belgium and parts of Europe.  

Description on the back..."This building is directly across street from our hotel, undergoing reconstruction. The entire front was blown out by concussion from Buzz bomb."  Buzz bombs were early cruise missiles used by the Germans that did considerable damage and caused stress and anxiety from the noise they made as they came in.  

Out on the town; possibly Liege, Belgium. 

"One of the many churches in Liege." 

Uncle Jack's Heart Shield Bible.  The worn writing on the metal cover says "To The One I Love". 

                                                                              Mess Pass

                                                                                      Ration Book

                                                                        Ration Stamps

  Uncle Jack served his country using the skills and talents that he had.  He was 35 years old when he enlisted.  He went on to serve his community as the Superior Court  Clerk of Nevada County for 20 years, retiring in 1972. He lovingly took care of his mother Vere Burrows Hansen until her death in 1974.  He had a large group of friends in the community and was a part of many fraternal and service organizations.  He served his church (Emmanuel) and his Lord, singing in the church choir.  He also sang with the Cornish Carol Choir and the Cornish Gold Miner's Chorus.  He was known for his sense of humor, his kindly attitude and his giggle.  He  never married.   He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Grass Valley, California. 

                                                Thank you, Uncle Jack, for your service!