Maxwell Hanna Jr.

southernsoulspodca

Jul 9

2 min read

Maxwell Hanna Jr survived a tour in the Army in WWII, Naval flight training, and being a Marine Corps helicopter pilot. But in 1962, while flying a private aircraft for a routine duty, tragedy struck, claiming the life of 35-year-old Maxwell Hanna, Jr.

The Grave

The position of Maxwell Hanna Jr's headstone begs the question: is he really buried here? Was he cremated? Or is this simply the memorial for a man lost at sea? Photo by Tarah Thomas. — The position of Maxwell Hanna Jr's headstone begs the question: is he really buried here? Was he cremated? Or is this simply the memorial for a man lost at sea? *Photo by Tarah Thomas.*

The memorial stone of Maxwell Hanna Jr, buried between his maternal grandparents in Fillmore Cemetery, Haughton, La. Photo by Tarah Thomas. — The memorial stone of Maxwell Hanna Jr, buried between his maternal grandparents in Fillmore Cemetery, Haughton, La. *Photo by Tarah Thomas.*

The Man

Maxwell Franklin Hanna Jr in an undated photograph. Published in the newspapers during the search for his body. Photo courtesy of The Times and Newspapers.com. — Maxwell Franklin Hanna Jr in an undated photograph. Published in the newspapers during the search for his body. *Photo courtesy of The Times and* *Newspapers.com*.

The Pilot

Maxwell Hanna Jr was the first to land a helicopter on a submarine, a moment captured in this photograph in 1956. Hanna was an expert helicopter pilot, which made the tragedy in 1962 that much more tragic. Photo courtesy of The Times and Newspapers.com. — Maxwell Hanna Jr was the first to land a helicopter on a submarine, a moment captured in this photograph in 1956. Hanna was an expert helicopter pilot, which made the tragedy in 1962 that much more tragic. *Photo courtesy of The Times and* *Newspapers.com*.

The Bay

Bonus: The Car

A 1929 Desoto Roadster 6. This is an example of one of the vehicles owned by Maxwell Hanna Sr, and it was the vehicle he crashed into a mule and caught fire in 1929. This is not the actual car. Photo Credit: MotorCities.org — A 1929 Desoto Roadster 6. This is an example of one of the vehicles owned by Maxwell Hanna Sr, and it was the vehicle he crashed into a mule and caught fire in 1929. This is not the actual car. *Photo Credit:* *MotorCities.org*

Now the question remains: was Maxwell Hanna Jr's body recovered from the helicopter wreckage in Bay Marchand? Or does he still rest at the bottom of the bay.