134th Infantry Regiment Website
35th Infantry Division Research Center
"All Hell Can't Stop Us"
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134th Infantry Regiment Website35th Infantry Division Research Center"All Hell Can't Stop Us" |
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Gerald Max Hassell, son of Marvin James Hassell and Ethel (Hinkle) Hassell, was born on September 7, 1919, in Houston, Missouri. During the 1920s, his family relocated to Wyoming. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1940 and registered for the draft that October. Prior to entering the Army in January 1941, he was employed by the Indian Ice Company. Hassell trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Camp Bowie, Texas, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at Fort Sill on April 22, 1943. He married Marianne Frances Busby on August 7, 1943. He departed the US and arrived in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during July or August 1944 and joined Battery A, 161st Field Artillery Battalion, on August 19, 1944, from the 48th Replacement Battalion while the unit was near Chateaudun, France. 2nd Lt Gerald M Hassell was killed in action on September 18, 1944 during the Battle of Sugar Loaf at Agincourt, a small town near Nancy, France. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism during the battle in which he lost his life. His name is inscribed on the 35th Infantry Division Memorial at Agincourt. He is buried at Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint Avold, Lorraine France.
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Bronze Star Medal Citation |
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Second Lieutenant Gerald M Hassell, O1180939, Field Artillery, United States Army, for heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States, northeast of * * * , France, on 18 September 1944. During the course of an attack against enemy forces on * * * Hill, northeast of * * * , the enemy launched a counterattack supported by tanks. Lieutenant Hassell, a forward observer with the First Battalion, * * * Infantry, made his way forward under heavy fire of all types, and adjusted artillery fire upon enemy positions. While so engaged, he was killed by direct fire from an enemy tank. His accurate fire direction and disregard for personal safety in the face of enemy fire, contributed to the success of the assault and capture of * * * Hill. Entered military service from Wyoming. General Orders No. 51, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 8 November 1944 |
