Saint Thomas Academy leadership instructor 1SG Frank Hanson, U.S. Army (ret.), received his long-awaited Purple Heart at formation today. Due to paperwork errors, Hanson’s Purple Heart was finally approved in 2009. He will receive the award for wounds sustained while serving with Recon Platoon, Echo Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, which was engaged in combat operations in Phu Vinh Provence, Republic of Vietnam on April 25, 1968. During his career, Hanson completed over three combat tours (42 months) in Vietnam. He also holds two Silver Stars for heroism, seven Bronze Stars, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He retired from the Army in 1985 and began teaching at Saint Thomas Academy in 1986. He will retire from the Academy this June after 26 years.
