Ray Hanson
Hanson pictured in Sequel 1931, Western Illinois yearbook
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| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
October 5, 1895 Vasa, Minnesota |
| Died | January 4, 1982 (aged 86) Macomb, Illinois |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1926–1941 | Western Illinois |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 55-59-12 |
Raymond W. "Rock" Hanson (October 5, 1895 – January 4, 1982), former United States Marine Colonel and highly decorated veteran of World War I and World War II, was best known as the football coach at Western Illinois State Teachers College (now Western Illinois University) in Macomb, Illinois, United States from 1926 to 1941.
Ray Hanson enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1916 and served during World War I. He was assigned to the 75th Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. Hanson participated in the Battle of Belleau Wood, Battle of Château-Thierry and many other battles.
During the Battle of Château-Thierry, Corporal Hanson saved his comrade, Private William A. Weaver, who was seriously wounded in leg and pinned down by enemy machine gun fire. Hanson went out in the front of US lines and after reached the wounded Pvt. Weaver, he stopped the bleeding and carried him to the safety. For the extraordinary heroism in combat, Hanson was decorated with the Navy Cross. He was also decorated with the Silver Star, Purple Heart and French Croix de guerre 1914-1918 with Palm by the Government of France.
After the War, Hanson remained in the Marine Corps after the War and served during the Allied occupation of the Rhineland. He subsequently resigned from the Marine Corps, but stayed in the Marine Corps Reserve.
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