JANUARY 1, 2019
This story addresses the military service of the Hannigan Family that started with a son of an Irish Immigrant in the 1860’s.
JOHN JOSEPH HANNIGAN, SENIOR
My Grandfather John Joseph Hannigan Senior was the son of Patrick and Catherine Hannigan nee O’Neill. He was born in 1883 in Mott Haven, New York,
He was mustered into the United States Service at the 12th Regiment Army in New York City, New York by LT G. L. Irwin 5th Artillery on July 13, 1898. He passed his entry physical, blue eyes, black hair, medium complexion, five feet 8 inches tall, pass physical, weight 134 pounds.
His enlistment was for two years as a Private. He was assigned to the 201st Regiment New York Infantry Volunteers Company D on July 17, 1898. His address of record was 627 East 144th Street, New York City, New York. During his enlistment, he went Absent Without Leave from October 3, 1898 to October 7, 1898. [Death of his Brother Dennis??]. Returning to his Unit, he was charged in a Summary Court Martial on October 14, 1898. His sentence was forfeiture of four dollars deducted from his October 1898 pay.
He was promoted from Private to Corporal on January 19, 1899 in accordance with Regular Order Number 9.
His service record in the Spanish American War shows an overseas assignment in the Philippine Islands.
He re-enlisted for three years in the U.S. Army Signal Corps on June 20, 1899. It was a re-enlistment due to his prior service with the 201st New York Infantry Volunteers Company D and his discharge on April 3, 1899. His address of record was 2618 3rd Avenue, New York City, New York. His service records reflect that he received special permission to re-enlist by The Signal Office, Washington, D.C. dated June 15, 1899. He was transferred to Fort Myers, Virginia and assigned to U.S. Army Signal Corps 314th Field Signal Battalion Company B for World War I.
He was Discharged at Sea on June 20, 1902 with the rank of Sergeant because his enlistment ended. His character during his second enlistment was Excellent.
His U.S. Army Signal Corps Card states he enlisted on June 20, 1899. It shows that he mustered with Company B and Company E from June 30, 1899 until June 20, 1902 until he was discharged,
His enlistment record Number [2676 for 1899] annotates the VA[XC-2,374,832] made an inquiry on October 3, 1947 and copies of his records were provided. Also, another annotation related to transfer of records to World War Division on January 4, 1935.
His third military service was inclusive from August 26, 1917 thru November 8, 1917 when he participated in Clinton County, New York pre-cursor to the Army Reserve Officer’s Training Course Program as directed by the President of the United States for an Army Reserve Officer’s Corps. He was Commission a 1s LT on November 8, 1917. His first assignment as a Signal Corps Officer was Washington, D.C.
During World War II, he Served in France as a 1st LT in the 89th Signal Corps Division with action in St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne campaigns with the 314th Field Signal Battalion. He also participated with the Bureau of Fire Prevention until his release of active duty on __________.
JOHN JOSEPH HANNIGAN, JUNIOR
John Joseph Hannigan Junior, son of John Joseph Hannigan Senior and Julia nee Gilman, was born in the Bronx, New York on October 10, 1909. He was raised Roman Catholic and was educated in Bronx, New York, Quincy and Norwood, Massachusetts. When, his father John Joseph Hannigan, Senior was in World War I, he went to elementary School in Quincy, Massachusetts. After World War I, the family moved back to the Bronx. His father became a New York Fireman. When his father retired from the New York Fire department in 1926, the family relocated to Norwood, Massachusetts. He graduated from Norwood High School.
He enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1927 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts and was assigned to the 13th Infantry, Company A, CMTC. He continued his military service through 1929. In 1930, he received an Army Commission as a 2nd LT in the Infantry.
After his marriage to Catherine Rita Hannigan on June 14, 1934 in Readville, Massachusetts, He resigned his commission as an Army Officer in the Army Reserve Infantry in 1934.
Leaving Military Service in 1934, he was employed by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in Boston Yards as a railroad policeman. He transferred to the Readville Car Shops after getting his Massachusetts electrician license. Later he transferred to the New Have Yards until his retirement.
After his son, John Dennis, enlisted in the Massachusetts Army National Guard in February of 1953, He enlisted in March 1953 in the C Battery 101st Field Artillery Battalion. His rank was SFC and my Serial Number was NG281281333. This allowed them to get to the weekly drills and summer camp together. He was a little disappointed when his son transferred to the Military Police Battalion. He finished my three-year enlistment and received an honorable discharge in March 1956. He left the Army National Guard.
After leaving the Guard, he checked into the Army Reserve. His purpose was to see if my if his Reserve Training in the 1920’s, his commission in 1930 as a 2nd LT Infantry until he reassigned his commission in June 1934, and his three years in the Army National Guard , was beneficial for me to enlist in the 94th Division Army Reserves at the Boston Army Base with the rank of SFC. My Serial Number change to ER21281333. I stayed with the unit until I was transferred by the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad to New Haven, Connecticut. My Army Reserve Unit was also transferred to the Connecticut Army National Guard Railroad Engineers. I retired from the unit at age 60 years old in 1969.
JOHN DENNIS HANNIGAN
John Dennis Hannigan the only son of John Joseph Hannigan, Junior and Catherine Rita Hannigan nee Donahue. He was born on Good Friday, April 19th, 1935. I was also raised as a Roman Catholic and my childhood was quite protected and disciplined by my family. My Father told me when I graduated from High School that he wanted me work on the railroad with hm.
As a High School Senior, I took ROTC. On February 3rd, 1953, I enlisted in the Massachusetts Army National Guard at the Commonwealth Avenue Armory. I was assigned to 101st Field Artillery Battalion, Headquarter Battery, 26th “Yankee” Division as a Private E-1 and a radio operator. I felt that the Guard would give me the experience of what military duty was like. Weekly drill sessions included learning basic military requirements of marching, weaponry, and training in the radio shop.
My father joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard in March 1953 to the same unit 101st Field Artillery Battery C 105 Howitzers as an SFC. Even thought he told me he wanted to maybe get his 20 years in for retirement. I really think he wanted to still control my activity and thereby had to join the National Guard to see what I was doing in the Guard.
In April 1953, there was a bad weather and a tornado struck the city of Worcester, Massachusetts. The Governor declared Worcester a disaster area. Our Guard unit was activated on a humanitarian purpose to go to Worcester. This authorization was my first active duty as a Guardsman, and I did not know what to expect. I was a senior at Hyde Park High School, but the Guard took priority. I received my orders, as did my father. We were both going to Worcester.
for forty miles west of Boston and operate his radio. Our convoy travelled thirty-five miles per hour and had priority on all the roads to Worcester and traffic had to pullover to let the convoy pass. Arriving in Worcester, our unit was directed to the High School Gymnasium, which would be our command post for the duration of our stay. The Gym provide our cooks the capability of having e. Duty was twelve hours 0600 to 1800, and 1800 to 0600. I chose a bunk and put my duffle bag on it. We were called to formation by the Commanding Officer and received our duty stations and our schedule, I was assigned a Security Guard at an apartment complex on 0600 – 1800, rather than my normal duty as a driver and radio operator. I was issued an M-1 Rifle and was told not to let anyone in the apartment complex.
I was taken to my duty station by Jeep. I had never seen the result of tornado damage in my life, since a tornado was a rare occurrence on the east coast of the United States. What a surprise upon reaching my guard post. Apartment wall we torn down exposing the insides of the apartments to anyone for looting. Buildings three stories high were damaged to the extent the would probably have to be destroyed. Furniture and family belongings were scattered everywhere. The tornado storms-path was about one quarter of a mile wide that swept through the apartment complex at about 4:30 in the afternoon. Across the street from the complex, a piece of wood was stuck in a tree trunk. Electrical lines were down everywhere which presented an immediate danger to anyone in the area. This was my guard station for the next the next twelve hours. My orders were to let no one near the complex, if some on tries to bypass me, yell HALT and call the Corporal of the Guard.
My relief came on duty at 1800 and I was taken back to the Gym for a hot meal, shower, and getting some sleep. The activity in the gym and I did not get much sleep during my off-duty time. When, my off-duty shift was over, I was waking up at 0500 for my next tour of Guard duty at the apartment complex. The rules had changed during the 1800 – 0600 duty tour. The city was going to open limited access to the apartment complex to insurance personnel to determine damages to each apartment for their clients. The new orders were that they would be escorted by an NCO and that he would be responsible for where the insurance personnel went in the complex.
My orders for the day were to let no one in the apartment complex unless the had proof of identification that they lived in the complex. We were provided a list of all resident’s names that occupied each building.
My tour as Security Guard was an emotional day for the resident’s, as well as, for me escorting them to their demolished apartment. When the resident saw the condition of their personal property, most of the resident’s broke down and cried when they realized that few things could be salvaged. They were also told that their Insurance agent had been through their apartment the day before and that they should contact their agent to submit a claim. Being the Security Guard on duty, I could not show any outward emotions when I was with any resident’s visiting their demolished apartment. Also, if a person approached and did not have the proper identification, I could not permit that person to enter the apartment complex. I would have to call the Corporal of the Guard, and he would resolve any questions with them. I was not allowed to make the decision on my own. The City of Worcester had condemned the apartment complex and considered to be unsafe for occupancy later in the day. At 1800 hours, I returned to the Gym in hopes of getting fed and a good night’s sleep. I was fortunate to have day light duty hours. The night shift had different order that no one was allowed near the apartment complex.
My third day of Security Guard was a repeat of the day before. Many of the resident’s came to look at their apartment however, since the City of Worcester had condemned them as unsafe for occupancy. All they could do is see the outside damage and be referred to their insurance agent. At 1800 hours, I returned to the gym hoping to get a good night sleep.
On the four day, we were told to clean up and instead of going on Security Guard duty, we were going back to Boston. The night Security Guard tour ended at 0600 and that ended our humanitarian active duty in the City of Worcester. The cooks knocked of chow at 1400 hours and started to clean up the and showers. Filled our vehicles with gasoline and departed Worcester at 1600 hours for the trip back to Boston. When, I reached the Boston Armory, I turned y Jeep into the motor pool, removed the radio equipment and returned it to the Radio Section. The Battalion Commander had a final formation at 1700 hours and was deactivated from active duty. I was then able to go home and return to school the next day.
For the rest of April, May and part of June 1953, we continued to meet weekly to perform our assigned duties and start preparing for our two weeks Summer Training at Camp Drum, New York. June 14th, I graduated from Hyde Park High School, it was also my parents nineteenth anniversary. My father got me a job on the railroad in central supply. I wanted to be a greenskeeper on a golf course, but of course he won out. I was the youngest person on the team. I learned to drive fork lifts to unload railroad materials from boxcars and deliver them to the warehouses. Eventually, I learned how to load boxcars with railroad material that was being shipped to other railroad locations. The job was interesting but repetitive and sometime boring.
July 1953 was Summer Camp Month for the 101st Field Artillery. Now I get to play Army. We assemble Friday night at the Armory from all over the Boston and began loading equipment and installing radio equipment into the Jeeps and 2-1/2 Ton Trucks that will haul the 105 Howitzer Guns to Summer Camp. This is our second Activation in 90 days. After getting fully equipped, the 101st Field Artillery leaves the Armory Saturday morning at 0700 hours for Camp Drum, New York. The convoy is slow travelling at thirty-five miles per hour with at ten-minute break every two hours. Dismounting the convoy around noon, to eat in the field mess, and then we reloaded and the convoy continue the trip. That evening, we stop in western Massachusetts and prepare a bivouac area for the night in a State Park. The unit sets up camp, pitch tents, and sets up a field mess for evening meal. We get some sleep and Sunday morning reveille is at 0600 hours. We break down the camp area and load the equipment back on the convoy. Eat our breakfast of c-ration and then reload the convoy and head for Camp Drum, New York.
directs the convoy to the area where we will be billeted for the next thirteen days. After Unloading the jeeps and 2-1/2ton trucks and placing the 105 Howitzer guns in their place, we all go to our barracks areas, officer’s, NCO, and enlisted. Finding a cot and a wall locker my, I unload my duffle bag and put my uniforms in the wall locker. After the evening meal in the mess hall, we settle down and relax until TAPS at 2300 hours when it is lights out. We wake up at 060 hours with the sound of Reveille to start our first day of training. Our field training will continue the next thirteen days from 0600 until 2300 every day. Next weekend will be free to go to the town of Watertown for sight-seeing of the Thousand Lakes area and even to Canada.
Monday morning, we arise at 0600 hours to the sound of Reveille. We straighten up the barracks and take care of personal hygiene and off to breakfast in the mess hall at 0700 hours. After breakfast returning to the company are, we load up the jeeps and 2-1/2ton trucks hitch the 105 Howitzer Guns and take them to the Command Center Crew is to set up their 105’s and zero in their 105’s for observer practice firing for the rest of the week. My job is simple, stay in the Command Center and monitor the radio communications for the Battalion Commander. At this point, I establish a communication link between the Battalion Commander, the Forward Observer [FO], and the three Battery Gun Crews. Then the Commander will leave the Command Center and I will drive him to the check on the battery firing crews
Each Battery gun crew sets up the 105 Howitzer guns with the ammunition close to the gun. They fire the 105’s into the impact area and the forward determines the round impact. He will give elevation and distance coordinate’s changes until the round hits the proper spot in the impact area. This exercise takes most of the morning. Once the guns are zeroed in, the gun crews take a break and head back to the mess hall for lunch. After lunch, we clean and gas up the jeeps and 2-1/2ton truck, the 105’s are set up and have bee zeroed in. After the evening meal, we head back to the barracks area and relax until TAPS and light out.
Next week, Monday until Friday noon, the competitive firing between the three Batteries is taking place. I hear a lot of “On the Way” over the Commander’s Jeep Radio Speaker as I sit at the Command Center. I guess I had an easy summer camp. I feel like a civilian even though I am on Active Duty wearing my Guard uniform. Monday 1600 hours competitive firing ceased, and we all returned to the barracks area for chow and some relaxation time until TAPS and lights out. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were a repeat of the day before duty. Friday 0600 hours we got up and this was the last day of 105’s firing between the three Battery Gun Crews. Training ceased at noon. We had lunch. Then we started to police the firing area, brought in the 2-1/2ton truck and hook up 105 Howitzers so we could get an early start back to the armory on Saturday Morning
Saturday Morning, 0600 hours, get up and clean up the barracks, the latrines, and showers. Pack out duffle bags and go to the field mess for our final meal at Camp Drum. After breakfast, the cooks clean up the mess hall and load their equipment on the 2-1/2ton trucks. The 101st is ready to roll for the Armory at 0800 hours. The convoy falls in line an starts the trip back to Boston at thirty-five miles an hour. Stopping Saturday night, we bivouac in the same Park [as we did on our way to camp] setting up I moved out of the family home.
The Battalion arrived in Boston early Sunday Evening. It was a long ride from the Bivouac site at 35 mph with a stop every two hours. Reaching the Armory work began. We unloaded the jeeps and 2-1/2ton trucks and stowed the equipment. Removed all the radio communications equipment from the vehicles and returned the equipment to the Battalion Radio Communications Section. Cleaned up the vehicle and checked them into the motor pool. Returning to the Battalion area, we assembled for our last formation and returned to inactive duty. We were release at 1900 hours and was once again a citizen soldier and free to go home.
August 1953, I talked with my Commanding Officer and asked to be either transferred or discharged. I was tired of my father checking on my performance in the HQ Battery Radio Communications Section even though he was in C Battery. My Commanding Officer said he would look in to it and get back with me in a couple of weeks.
Two weeks later, my Commanding Officer called me in and told me that he had arranged for me to be transferred to the 26th Division Military Police Battalion and it had been approved. My reporting date was for the first drill in September 1953. I received an education on what duties encompassed being a Military Policeman. I became proficient in firing a Cal .45 as my duty weapon. I began to think of a career as a policeman in civilian life. Homelife did not improve. For the second time, I talked with my Commanding Officer of the 26th Division Military Police Battalion in October. I told him, I decided to get away from my homelife and asked for a discharge from the 26th Division Military Police Battalion because I wanted to go Regular Army. He agreed and we started the necessary paper work. I was Honorably Discharged from the Massachusetts Army National Guard on November 15. 1953. That evening at the evening meal, I showed my parent my discharge papers. My father asked what was I going to do? I told them I was not going to work on the railroad anymore, and that I was Enlisting in the Regular Army at the Boston Army Base the next day November 16, 1953. Needless to say, it way not received well with my parents.
