18 January 2009

Medal of Honor: H. H. Hanneken

HERMAN HENRY HANNEKEN

Sergeant (later Second Lieutenant), US Marine Corps; First Provisional Brigade of Marines (Gendarmerie d'Haiti)

Born: 23 June 1893, St Louis, Missouri
Died: 23 August 1986, LaJolla, California

Citation: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in actual conflict with the enemy near Grande Riviere, Republic of Haiti, on the night of 31 October-1 November 1919, resulting in the death of Charlemagne Peralte, the supreme bandit chief in the Republic of Haiti, and the killing, capture, and dispersal of about 1,200 of his outlaw followers. 2d Lt. Hanneken not only distinguished himself by his excellent judgment and leadership but also unhesitatingly exposed himself to great personal danger when the slightest error would have forfeited not only his life but the lives of the detachments of gendarmerie under his command. The successful termination of his mission will undoubtedly prove of untold value to the Republic of Haiti.

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