Latest update: Thursday, July 30, 2015
(SELECT ANY PHOTO TO START SLIDESHOW.)
Olan D. HANNAH was born on 22 Sep 1892 in Berwick, Jack
County, TEXAS, the fifth child and second son of the eight children
of Frank Marion HANNAH and Mary Adeline MELTON HANNAH.
Olan completed the World War 1, June 1917 Draft Form and was
assigned to the 82nd Infantry, the All American Division. The
Company photo on the left indicates Co. A 326th Inf. 82nd Div.
"Back From France." For his service, Olan was given a New
Testament Bible, signed by H. J. HENSLEY. In the Bible, Olan noted
he was with family and friends 16 and 17 September 1917, and
arrived at Camp Travis on 19 September 1917.
"The 82nd Division was first constituted on August 5, 1917 in the
National Army. It was organized and formally activated on August
25, 1917 at Camp Gordon, Georgia. The division consisted entirely
of newly conscripted soldiers. When commanders discovered that
the division contained draftees from the forty-eight US states that
existed at the time, they nicknamed it "the All American division."
• Texas State Historical Association:
The Handbook of Texas Online >
Thirty-sixth Infantry Division
• Military Forces Museum > 36th Division History
"This is how the 82d got its name... Most divisions stood up for
WWI were very regional to the U.S. The 82d was unique in that it
had men from all 48 states, and a number of immigrants.
Nicknames for divisions started at this time as well. A contest was
held by the 82d Commanding General to name the 82d, and a local
Atlanta woman, Vivienne Goodwyn, submitted the name selected.
The division was stood up and trained in the Atlanta area." Jimmie
Hallis, Collections Technician - Acting Curator, 82d Airborne
Division Museum, Fort Bragg, NC, October 2010
"The bulk of the division was two infantry brigades, each
commanding two regiments. The 163rd Infantry Brigade
commanded the 325th Infantry Regiment and the 326th Infantry
Regiment. The 164th Infantry Brigade commanded the 327th
Infantry Regiment and the 328th Infantry Regiment. Also in the
division were the 157th Field Artillery Brigade, a divisional troops
contingent, and a division train. It sailed to Europe to join the
American Expeditionary Force in fighting World War I." Wikipedia
"In the spring of 1918, the Division deployed to France. In nearly
five months of combat the 82nd fought in three major campaigns
and helped to break the fighting spirit of the German Imperial
Army." Fort Bragg
"The division suffered 995 killed and 7,082 wounded, for a total of
8,077 casualties. Following the war's end, the division moved to
training areas near Prauthoy, where it remained through February,
1919. It returned to the United States in April and May, and was
demobilized and deactivated at Camp Mills, New York on May 27."
Olan D HANNAH was discharged from the US Army on 11 June
1919.
UNIFORM
The Uniform of Olan HANNAH, a corporal in the All American
Division, has been preserved his granddaughter Sherry Wynnell
MEADOR LAWRENCE and donated by his famil to the
82nd Airborne Division Museum.
(Communication from the 82nd Airborne Division Museum.)
Of particular interest in the photos to the left is a shoulder patch for
the 82nd Infantry Division, the All American Division; this patch was
would have been hand-sewn aboard ship on the way home. "If you
will notice his Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (double AA), it is handmade
too. This was very common for the Troopers to do, and makes the
uniform that much more personal. The double AA added to the
patch was more than likely done on the way home while on the
ship. It was not authorized at first. If he sewed the flag, he more
than likely made his SSI. See attached pictures for variations of
patches, and the original design." Jimmie Hallis, Collections
Technician - Acting Curator, 82d Airborne Division Museum, Fort
Bragg, NC, October 2010
In addition there is a single pink stripe on the left sleeve is an
honorable discharge stripe.
UNIFORM PATCHES
Left Sleeve
- AA - All American
- Single Pink Upward Chevron - honorable discharge
- Double Gold Downward Chevron - UK British Army Corporal rank
Right Sleeve
- Double Gold Upward Chevron - US Army Corporal rank
UNIFORM RIBBON/ METAL
Front - St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Defensive Sector
Back
- The Great War for Civilization
- US, France, Italy Serbia, Japan, Montenegro, Russia, Greece,
Great Britain, Belgium, Brazil, Portugal, Rumania, China
"The medal is the WWI Victory Medal issued by the U.S. military for
service, with campaign bars attached." Jimmie Hallis, Collections
Technician - Acting Curator, 82d Airborne Division Museum, Fort
Bragg, NC, October 2010
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
- TXGenWeb Project, World War I & II,
Lists and Some World War I and II Records Jack County Texas
- The Stars and Stripes 24 January 1919 acticle.
- OFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE 82nd (American) DIVISION ALLIED
EXPEDITIONARY FORCES paperback book at Amazon.com .
- U.S.ARMY RANK AND INSIGNIA IDENTIFICATION WW1
(large pdf file)