Eagle Feathers #172 – Sergeant Hansen’s Flags

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Henry Oliver Hansen was a young United States Marine from Somerville who was killed during World War II at the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was raised in the Magoun Square neighborhood on Nashua Street, attended Northeastern Junior High School and Somerville High School.

For fifty years his name was barely noticed on a weather-worn Trum Field memorial. It was listed last out of thirty-four veterans from the park who made the supreme sacrifice. Since that time, notice has been brought to him by a small memorial park on Medford Street bearing his name.

Sergeant Striker, John Wayne’s character in the famous movie Sands of Iwo Jima, closely shadowed the real-life heroic actions of Somerville’s Sergeant Hansen. Henry, a seasoned combat marine paratrooper, was involved in the initial attack on the Island that began on February 19, 1945.

During the first three days of fighting, he and his platoon fought their way to the base of Mount Suribachi, the highest elevation on the island. It was the of February 22, Washington’s Birthday, when his platoon was ordered to capture the summit and plant our flag on it the next morning.

Hansen was very familiar with flags, having been his company’s honored Platoon Guide or flag bearer. How appropriate, a young marine from Somerville where General George Washington raised America’s first flag on Prospect Hill was to be instrumental in flying two American flags for the first time over the soil of the Japanese Empire.

Hank, as he was called, was known as a tough Marine. In the previous two days, he had already destroyed four pillboxes and dragged three wounded men out of harm’s way to safety. The day before, Private Donald Ruhl, a fellow marine and close friend leaped on a hand grenade and saved Hansen’s life. Ruhl was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Because of Hansen’s participation on February 23, 1945, in the ascent of Mount Suribachi and the two flag raisings, many national iconic images emerged. Joe Rosenthal captured it in his epic photographs.

Two American flags would be flown on that day. The first was a small flag raised under fire and combat. Over two hours later, after the summit was secured, a larger more visible flag was raised. This flag replaced the smaller one that was lowered after the larger one was in place. Sergeant Hansen participated in all three actions and should be credited.

Next year will be the landmark 75th anniversary of the battle and the well-known flag raisings.