Colonel John Nelson Hassell

Sunset Memorial Park
Funeral Home and Crematory, LLC
1700 Barrington Rd. Midland City, AL
(334) 983-6604
Robert and Toni Byrd

www.SunsetMemorialPark.com

Colonel (U.S Army, Retired) John Nelson Hassell passed away November 12, 2016 in Dothan, Alabama at the age of 91.

COL Hassell was born February 24, 1925 in Empire, Alabama. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and served as a gunner with Scout-Bomber Squadron 241 (VMSB 241) in the Pacific. He participated in more than 100 scouting, reconnaissance, dive-bombing and strike missions in 1944 and 1945 in support of ground operations along the island chains from the Solomons to the Philippine Islands. His squadron was last stationed on Luzon Island in the Philippines in April 1945, where operations continued until redeployment to the U.S. in August 1945. He was mustered out of the Marine Corp as a Corporal in December, 1945 and then attended the University of Alabama where he received a commission as an Army officer through the ROTC program in January 1949.

During more than thirty-two years on active duty, COL Hassell served in the Pacific, Germany, Korea, South Vietnam and in a number of posts and stations throughout the U.S. During his career, COL Hassell held command positions from company to brigade levels, and a variety of staff positions in the U.S and abroad. His awards and honors include two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, multiple awards of the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and multiple campaign medals. COL Hassell held a baccalaureate degree from the University of Maryland and a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University. He was also a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

COL Hassell was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Ann Greenway Bain Hassell of Petersburg, Virginia. He is survived by daughter Deborah Rives Hassell-Corbiell (Clement Corbiell) of Tacoma, Washington, sons Edward Hassell (Carolyn Cotta) of Sacramento, California, and Timothy Bain Hassell of Springfield, Virginia, and grandson Myles Allen Hassell of Clifton, Virginia. Nothing will fill the hole in our hearts with the passing of this patriotic and good man. He loved his family and his country. He took great pride in the service he performed as a marine and as a soldier. In speech and manner, he was a gentleman, and he was kind to all he met.

COL and Mrs. Hassell will be laid to rest together at Arlington National Cemetery on January 25, 2017.

Robert Byrd of Sunset Funeral Home, (334) 983-6604, is in charge of arrangements. Please call us or visit www.SunsetMemorialPark.com for more information.