A few minutes into your conversation with Glen Hanusa, you feel like you’re sitting down for a casual chat with an old friend. You share stories and listen to each other’s responses. Glen’s easygoing and low-key nature belies much knowledge and common sense. It could be the “down home” approach he acquired in his youth in Reedsburg, Wis. This could be why Glen earned U.S. Navy assignments such as admiral's administrative assistant, and later was claims manager for a Fortune 500 insurance company in his post-service civilian job.
During World War II, Glen served at Adak (formerly Adak Station) in the Aleutian Islands as administrative assistant to the admiral. On Aug. 3, 1944, Franklin Delano Roosevelt arrived to participate in planning for a possible invasion of Japan. As was usual, FDR’s dog, Fala - later “Murray the Outlaw of Falahill” - accompanied the president. When asked what Glen felt was a high point in his military service, he responded with “meeting FDR.” Glen humorously recounted the fabulist accusations that the latter sent a destroyer back to the Aleutians to retrieve Fala at a cost of many millions of taxpayer dollars (check out the “Fala Speech” in the National Archives and Records Administration). Incidentally, during WWII, Fala was an honorary private and national president of “Barkers for Britain.”
At the end of his tour of duty, Glen was sent to San Francisco aboard the Haskell-class attack transport USS Missoula (APA-211). U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287611 (17 Nov 1944, Public Domain). Missoula was part of Operation Magic Carpet, returning veterans of the Pacific campaigns to the United States. It was decommissioned in 1946. Well, until he was released from active duty, Glen served in the ship office and managed the liberty list. Once again, he seemed to become everyone’s friend.
Eventually, Glen made the Badger Honor Flight, another high point. While he was at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., he met Bob and Elizabeth, who were present to welcome veterans.
Glen has family in Middleton, Wis. He is a member of Severson-Cairns American Legion Post 501, Madison, Wis. Thank you, Glen!
