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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Apr '49
Jack Bain Hagel No. 15770
Class of 1946 Died February 3, 1948, on Okinawa, aged
24 years. |
Jacks beaming face and sparkling eyes always greeted his many
acquaintances as did a series of personalized remarks which were
aimed to change a solemn face to one of smiles. To recall a pleasant
memory and to tell that memory in a joking manner was his way
of bringing out the brighter side of those around him. When he
walked into a room it seemed to brighten as if someone had suddenly
turned on the lights. To worry was not his nature. Many times
I have heard him say that to worry would be the last thing he
would ever do for life was too short. Jack was a strong, intelligent
man who knew that action was the only way to reach a satisfactory
solution to a problem. He would think the problem over, reach
a scientific solution, and carry that solution to a satisfactory
end by hard work and determination. Perhaps an excerpt from the
remarks under Jack's picture in the nineteen forty-six Howitzer
could best exemplify the response everyone had to the stimulus
that he provided. "Full of life and with a spirit of take
things as they come Jack was an earnest and jovial fellow who
will succeed wherever he goes."
Jack was born on December 3, 1923 in Seymour, Indiana. At
the age of two his family moved to Washington, Indiana where
he started and finished his secondary education with his graduation
from the Washington High School on June 6, 1941. In September
of 1942 he entered Millard's in Washington, D. C. in preparation
for the competitive examination for the appointment to West Point.
After seven months of study Jack successfully passed the examination
and was awarded the Congressional appointment to West Point from
the 7th District of Indiana. It was at the Point, where he entered
on July 1, 1943, that his desire for education was satisfied.
It was there also that he became interested in radio, which he
liked nearly as well as playing his saxophone. After three years
of diligent study he received his commission In the Coast Artillery
and degree of Bachelor of Science, on June 4, 1946. Shortly thereafter,
on June 13, 1946 Jack married his high school sweetheart, Sue
Ann Schild, at Washington, Indiana. His active duty in his chosen
branch of the Army began with more schooling and field work at
Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in August 1946. From there he was transferred
to Fort Bliss, Texas in March 1947. Before his departure for
Guam, Jack became the father of a son, Larry Bain, who was born
on March 27, 1947. Jack left Camp Stoneman, California on May
28, 1947 for Guam where he stayed for only a few hours before
being transferred to Saipan. From Saipan he was transferred to
Okinawa.
Jack was with the 226th Ordnance Base Depot at the time of
his death on February 3, 1948, on Okinawa. On Okinawa his comrades
bade a final farewell to their friend at a service in a little
white chapel at Machinado before his body was returned to Washington,
Indiana to lie in rest in St. John's Cemetery. He is survived
by his widow, Sue Ann; his son, Larry Bain; his mother and father,
Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Hagel; two brothers, Robert and Thomas; and
one sister Phyllis.
It is very difficult to express in words the greatness
of a man, but that greatness is easily seen in the feelings of
those who loved him. Why should a family be so deeply shaken
and pierced by such tragic news if there were not greatness in
the individual lost? Jack was all that a mother and father, a
brother and sister, a wife and son could have ever hoped for.
I believe that I could examine the twelve points of the Scout's
Law which Jack accepted on his way to Eagle Scout and while Scoutmaster
of his troop and never find one of the points that Jack did not
live up to throughout his life.
His Brother, Thomas L. Hagel
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