MacNider was Commander of the American Legion Department of Iowa, from 1920 to 1921, before being elevated to the office of National Commander, serving from 1921 to 1922.
During World War II, he was wounded while commanding the Buna Task ForceinNew Guinea. After recovery, he was given the command of the 158th Regimental Combat Team (the Bushmasters) at the Bicol Peninsula.[4] His command of the 158th RCT in the Philippines was excellent and it was there that some of the toughest fighting of the war occurred.
A regimental legend contends that at one point men of the 3rd battalion became drunk from a cache of Japanese Sake, at which point MacNider finding the men in poor conditions downed a whole bottle in a single moment and decried the troops for being poor soldiers. MacNider earned the respect and love of the men of the 158th by his courage and great battlefield leadership, this has led to an almost mythical reputation in the regiment even today.
MacNider was eventually promoted to brigadier general in the United States Army, and then major general until his retirement in 1951. After retirement, he was promoted to lieutenant general by an act of Congress on August 7, 1956. He is one of only four individuals to be promoted to lieutenant general after retirement from the army.
On February 18, 1968, while on vacation in Sarasota, Florida, he died at a hospital of pulmonary edema.[citation needed] It has been said that he was interred in Mason City's Elmwood Saint Joseph Cemetery; the cemetery office has no record of his burial, and it is believed that he was cremated and his ashes scattered in an unknown location.[1]
Today MacNider is considered one of Iowa's greatest war heroes, the 158th RCT (Infantry) wartime leader, and an effective politician during the inter-war years. He is one of a very few individuals to be awarded three Distinguished Service Crosses.
Hanford MacNider received during his military career many decorations and awards for heroism and distinguished service. Here are official citations of the most important military decorations:
The official U.S. Army citation for his first Distinguished Service Cross reads:
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 44 (1919)
Action Date: October 3–9, 1918
Name: Hanford MacNider
Service: Army
Rank: Captain
Regiment: 9th Infantry Regiment
Division: 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces
Citation:The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Hanford MacNider, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., near Medeah Ferme, France, October 3–9, 1918. Captain MacNider voluntarily joined an attacking battalion on 3 October and accompanied it to its final objectives. During the second attack on the same day, he acted as a runner through heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. He visited the lines both night and day, where the fighting was most severe. When higher authority could not be reached, he assumed responsibilities, and gave the necessary orders to stabilize serious situations. When new and untried troops took up the attack, he joined their forward elements, determined the enemy points of resistance by personal reconnaissance, uncovered enemy machine-gun nests and supervised their destruction.[5]
The official U.S. Army citation for his second Distinguished Service Cross reads:
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 44 (1919)
Action Date: September 12, 1918
Name: Hanford MacNider
Service: Army
Rank: Captain
Regiment: 9th Infantry Regiment
Division: 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces
Citation:The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Hanford MacNider, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., near Remeriauville, France, 12 September 1918. On duty as regimental adjutant, while carrying instructions to the assaulting lines, Captain MacNider found the line unable to advance and being disorganized by a heavy machine-gun fire. Running forward in the face of the fire, this officer captured a German machine-gun, drove off the crew, reorganized the line on that flank, and thereby enabled the advance to continue.[5]
The official U.S. Army citation for his third Distinguished Service Cross reads:
General Orders: Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 12 (1943)
Name: Hanford MacNider
Service: Army
Rank: Brigadier General
Regiment: Commanding officer
Division: Buna Task Force
Citation:Brigadier General Hanford MacNider, United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces during World War II. Brigadier General MacNider's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.[5]
The official U.S. Army citation for his Distinguished Service Medal reads:
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 89 (August 13, 1946)
Action Date: October 1943 - October 1945
Name: Hanford MacNider
Service: Army
Rank: Brigadier General
Regiment: Commanding officer
Division: Buna Task Force
Citation:The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Hanford MacNider (ASN: 0-108101), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during the period from October 1943 to October 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General MacNider reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.[6]
^Charles H. MacNider (b. 1860) was the president of the First National Bank of Mason City. The MacNider Art Museum at Mason City, Iowa is named after him.[1]Archived October 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^"The Cabinet: Change". Time. October 26, 1925. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2010. MacNider. As one steps out an-other steps in. President Coolidge appointed Hanford MacNider, of Iowa, onetime Commander of The American Legion (1921-22), to succeed Mr. Davis as Assistant Secretary of War. He is even younger than his new superior, is only 36. Like Mr. Davis he is a Harvard man. He fought overseas, rose to a Lieutenant Colonelcy, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Said Mr. Davis: 'It is a splendid appointment'.
United States Army
Lieutenant General
Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal (3)
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Air Medal
Purple Heart (2)
French Legion of Honor
French Croix de Guerre
Italian Cross of War Merit
Philippine Legion of Honor
Biography
Business
Iowa
