Frank Joseph Hagney – Major, United States Army

From a contemporary press report:

Frank Joseph Hagney, a World War hero, died Sunday, October 24, 1993, of pneumonia in his home in Falls Church, Virginia. He was 74.

Major Hageny was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Boston English High School at the age of 16 in 1932. During World War II he served with the 71st Infantry Division of the Third Army under General George S. Patton. As leader of a rifle platoon, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during an assault against a German unit near Altenstadt, Germany, on April 1, 1945.

According to the citation read by General Patton at the award ceremony the following July, “Lieutenant Hagney, though wounded, returned through enemy fire several times carrying his wounded comrades. He sustained several other wounds and then courageously led his platoon through more intense hostile frontal and flanking fire. Inspiring his men by his heroic leadership, he pressed forward against the enemy and, although seriously wounded twice more, continued his gallant aggressive action. Lieutenant Hagney's tenacious courage and unflinching devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military service.”

During his 20-year Army career, he worked his way up through the ranks from Private to Major and was awarded a Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal, a Combat Infantry badge, a Purple Heart and numerous campaign medals. After his retirement from the Army in 1962, he became a logistics expert for the Deptment of the Army and was commended for his work preparing situation reports for President Kennedy during the Cuban missile crisis.

He leaves 4 daughters, Maureen Hove and Patricia Boros of Falls Church, Virginia, Gail Harrison of Herndon, Virginia, and Karen Gardner of Moorpark, California; a son, Dennis, of Siesta Key, Florida; a brother, Donald T. of Duxbury; a sister, Mary C. of West Roxbury; and 6 grandsons. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

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