Date of birth:

April 28th, 1910 (Oktaha/Oklahoma, USA)

Date of death:

2004 (Bellflower/California, USA)

Nationality:

American

Captain Fred A. Hancock joined the army in 1927 and volunteered for the newly formed parachute army during World War II. His first action was in Normandy where, near Carentan, a field was named after him.

On 17 September 1944, as commander of C Company (of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division), he led the attack on Saint-Oederode. His initial plan, coming from the drop zone just outside Sint-Oedenrode, was to pass through the centre of the village to reach the Hambrug, his main objective for the Market Garden plan. When he reached the edge of the village, he saw a bridge that was not on his map. That bridge, the current Alzenaub Bridge, had been built during World War II and was therefore not on the US maps. Captain Hancock changed his plan of attack in a split second and gave the order to attack across the Corridor. His men advanced across this open terrain to attack the Ham Bridge.... and they succeeded!

A few days later, he was wounded while leading his men in a frontal attack against the Germans on the road towards Schijndel. He was brought back to England to have his wounds treated. After his recovery, he rejoined the 502nd to take part in the Battle of the Bulge. He earned the Silver Star medal for repelling the German attack at Sint-Oedenrode. He also earned the Bronze Star for his actions in Normandy. Among other medals, he also earned the Purple Heart twice (for being wounded twice) and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

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• Photo 1: Jurgen Swinkels
• - Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame
  

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