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Frank E. Hanson

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Frank E. Hanson

Birth	:	Mar 1893 Iowa, USA
Death	:	6 Jul 1920 Casper, Natrona County, Wyoming, USA
Burial	:	Belgian Gardens Cemetery, Belgian Gardens, Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate	:	-19.2431100, 146.7826400
Inscription	:	U. S Naval Reserve Aviation
Description	:	Oelwein Daily Register July 7, 1920 page one STORY OF FRANK HANSON DEATH Fell 4,400 Feet When the Parachute Apparatus Broke Casper (Wyoming) Herald: Frank E. Hanson, one of the most daring and courageous of parachute jumpers, was killed a few minutes before 7:00 o'clock last evening, when he fell from an altitude of 4,400 feet above the Casper aviation field. The impact of his body against the earth was so great that he sank a foot and a half into the hard ground on the north edge of the field. A moment before the fatal plunge Hanson asked "How high are we?" and Cole... Read More	Oelwein Daily Register July 7, 1920 page one STORY OF FRANK HANSON DEATH Fell 4,400 Feet When the Parachute Apparatus Broke Casper (Wyoming) Herald: Frank E. Hanson, one of the most daring and courageous of parachute jumpers, was killed a few minutes before 7:00 o'clock last evening, when he fell from an altitude of 4,400 feet above the Casper aviation field. The impact of his body against the earth was so great that he sank a foot and a half into the hard ground on the north edge of the field. A moment before the fatal plunge Hanson asked "How high are we?" and Cole replied, "Forty-four hundred feet; are you ready? Do you think the ropes will catch in that buckle," pointing to a buckle near the top of the parachute pouch. "No," said Hanson, "the wind is blowing them away from the buckle." "All right, get ready." said Cole, and Hanson replied "Goodby." An instant later Cole plunged his ship into an inverted position and Hanson shot into space. Cole continued to sail the ship upside-down, so as to avoid the possibility of running into Hanson or his parachute. He remained in that position possibly 15 seconds and saw the parachute open. His impression that everything was all right was only for an instant; a second later he saw the parachute collapse and knew that the weight of Hanson's body wasn't straining on the ropes. Instantly he knew what had happened; that the strain on the safety belt had been too great and something had broken. Cole's first thought was to attempt a rescue and he acted without hesitation. He pointed his plane directly to the earth and shot down more rapidly than he had ever before voluntarily done. His object was to dive under Hanson and break the fall with the hope that Hanson, if conscious, might be able to cling to the upper plane. He passed the falling body and leveled out the ship, but his speed was too great and he passed under the falling Hanson. It was a heroic but futile attempt, which might have resulted in the death of Cole, while not saving Hanson. In all probability, if he had succeeded in getting below the falling jumper, Hanson's body would have wrecked the airplane and there would have been two deaths instead of one. Frank E. Hanson was 27 years of age. He had been engaged for six years as a parachute jumper and was an instructor in that line of aerial work in the navy during the war. He was regarded as one of the most daring and skillful airmen and his services were eagerly sought and highly paid for. His work with Lieut. Cole in Denver a few weeks ago, was the sensation of the day. He is survived by his father and mother, residing at Oelwein, Iowa. Two of his brothers, Clyde and Joe Hanson are employed by the Midwest company and live in South Spruce street in this city. He had two other brothers living in Oelwein. Coronor Lou Gay was on the aviation field within a half hour after the accident happened. An examination of the safety apparatus showing that the fatality was due to its weak construction, a fact to which Hanson's attention had been called. The metal snap which was called on to sustain the strain of the weight of his body when the parachute opened, was a small galvanized iron affair which might have been bought for a nickle at a harnass shop. The canvas belt where the snap was attached, was torn across, showing that it was not of sufficient strong material to stand the strain. An inquest will be held today. The body was taken last night to the Shaffer & Gay mortuary. [The 1900 census of Hampton, Franklin, Iowa lists Swain S. and Mary Hansen with eight sons: Clarence W., John A., J. Minerd, George A., Benjamin, Clyde E., Rudolph P., and Frank A.]

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Frank E. Hanson's memorial?
Frank E. Hanson's memorial is located at: Belgian Gardens Cemetery, Belgian Gardens, Townsville City, Australia.
When did Frank E. Hanson death?
Frank E. Hanson death on 6 Jul 1920 in Casper, Natrona County, Wyoming, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Frank E. Hanson's memorial?
Latitude: -19.2431100
Longitude: 146.7826400

Family Members:

Parent

Swain Samuel Hanson

(1853 - 1936)

Mary Hasler Hanson

(1861 - 1921)

Siblings

John A Hanson

(1881 - 1924)

Joseph M Hanson

(1882 - 1944)

Rudolph Peter Hanson

(1892 - 1929)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Belgian Gardens Cemetery
Belgian Gardens, Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate: -19.2431100, 146.7826400

2. West End Cemetery
West End, Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate: -19.2657130, 146.8011430

3. Sacred Heart Cathedral
Townsville, Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate: -19.2589000, 146.8118000

4. North Queensland Garden of Remembrance
Townsville, Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate: -19.2554030, 146.8240260

5. West Point Cemetery
Magnetic Island, Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate: -19.1334561, 146.7864305

6. Magnetic Island Memorial Gardens
Townsville, Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate: -19.1562722, 146.8551167

7. Stewart's Creek Penal Establishment Cemetery
Stuart, Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate: -19.3524684, 146.8498339

8. Woongarra Crematorium
Townsville, Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate: -19.3580935, 146.8756311

9. Florence Bay Scout Chapel Cemetery
Magnetic Island, Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate: -19.1239643, 146.8765564

10. Range Hotel
Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate: -19.3514510, 146.4871560

11. Giru-Woodstock Road Homestead Cemetery
Giru, Burdekin Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -19.5477500, 147.0598300

12. Manton Cemetery
Manton, Townsville City, Australia
Coordinate: -19.6511300, 146.8335700

13. Palm Island
Palm Island, Palm Island Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -18.7354000, 146.5778575

14. Fantome Island Lazaret Cemetery
Fantome Island, Palm Island Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -18.6672600, 146.5132400

15. Ayr Cemetery
Ayr, Burdekin Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -19.5641000, 147.3909940

16. St Helens Anglican Church Columbarium Wall
Home Hill, Burdekin Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -19.6572720, 147.4130880

17. Home Hill General Cemetery
Home Hill, Burdekin Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -19.6630800, 147.4259200

18. New Ingham Cemetery
Ingham, Hinchinbrook Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -18.6707560, 146.1927830

19. Halifax Cemetery
Halifax, Hinchinbrook Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -18.5844780, 146.2876470

20. Macrossan Cemetery
Macrossan, Charters Towers Region, Australia
Coordinate: -20.0021640, 146.4439990

21. Old Ingham Cemetery
Ingham, Hinchinbrook Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -18.6682500, 146.1518800

22. Sellheim Cemetery
Sellheim, Charters Towers Region, Australia
Coordinate: -20.0096093, 146.4013893

23. Ravenswood Cemetery
Ravenswood, Charters Towers Region, Australia
Coordinate: -20.1116040, 146.8872210

24. Johnson Family Cemetery
Trebonne, Hinchinbrook Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -18.6657193, 146.0157081