Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Hanford
MacNider
October 2, 1889

–

February 18, 1968

Cemetery:

Cremated

Following heroic service in World War I, Hanford MacNider was elected American Legion National Commander in 1921. In 1923 he became Assistant Secretary of War, resigning in 1928 after his father’s death. In 1930 he became Ambassador to Canada, resigning to campaign for the 1932 Republican Vice Presidential nomination. In 1940 he ran unsuccessfully for President and turned down the Republican Vice Presidential nomination. He was retired in 1956 as a U.S. Army Lieutenant General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Hanford MacNider, United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    9th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 3 – 9, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 44 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Hanford MacNider, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Medeah Ferme, France, October 3 – 9, 1918. Captain MacNider voluntarily joined an attacking battalion on 3 October and accompanied it to its final objectives. During the second attack on the same day, he acted as a runner through heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. He visited the lines both night and day, where the fighting was most severe. When higher authority could not be reached, he assumed responsibilities, and gave the necessary orders to stabilize serious situations. When new and untried troops took up the attack, he joined their forward elements, determined the enemy points of resistance by personal reconnaissance, uncovered enemy machine-gun nests and supervised their destruction.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Hanford MacNider, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy during World War II.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Hanford MacNider, United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy during World War II.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Hanford MacNider, United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy during World War II.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    October 1943 – October 1945
    War Department, General Orders No. 89 (August 13, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Hanford MacNider (ASN: 0-108101), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during the period from October 1943 to October 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General MacNider reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Hanford MacNider, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    32d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 23, 1942
    Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, General Orders No. 12 (1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General Hanford MacNider, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, while serving as Assistant Commanding General of the 32d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 23 November 1942, in New Guinea. While within a few yards of the front line, observing the disposition of Infantry units for an impending attack, General MacNider saw some men withdrawing from an advanced position. While rallying this group he received numerous wounds from fragments when an enemy grenade exploded. His courageous personal example of coolness under fire and fortitude after being wounded were an inspiration to the men under his command. Brigadier General MacNider’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    9th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 12, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 44 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Hanford MacNider, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Remeriauville, France, 12 September 1918. On duty as regimental adjutant, while carrying instructions to the assaulting lines, Captain MacNider found the line unable to advance and being disorganized by a heavy machine-gun fire. Running forward in the face of the fire, this officer captured a German machine-gun, drove off the crew, reorganized the line on that flank, and thereby enabled the advance to continue.