World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his parents) on May 30, 1946 from the officer in charge of the Midwestern Recruiting Division as part of the town of Wisner's Memorial Day observance, for his actions as a private first class with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, US Marine Corps on May 7, 1945, at the Battle of Okinawa, Japan. The son of a farming family, he joined the US Marine Corps in May 1944 and following his combat training, he was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations. In April 1945 he was assigned to Okinawa and on May 7, 1945, in the battle for Hill 60, on the southern part of the island where his determination and total disregard of personal danger, he helped his unit take a well-defended enemy position, for which he would be awarded the Medal of Honor. Four days later he was killed by a Japanese sniper. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with in action against enemy Japanese forces. Cool and courageous in combat, Pvt. Hansen unhesitatingly took the initiative during a critical stage of the action and, armed with a rocket launcher, crawled to an exposed position where he attacked and destroyed a strategically located hostile pillbox. With his weapon subsequently destroyed by enemy fire, he seized a rifle and continued his 1-man assault. Reaching the crest of a ridge, he leaped across, opened fire on 6 Japanese and killed 4 before his rifle jammed. Attacked by the remaining 2 Japanese, he beat them off with the butt of his rifle and then climbed back to cover. Promptly returning with another weapon and supply of grenades, he fearlessly advanced, destroyed a strong mortar position and annihilated 8 more of the enemy. In the forefront of battle throughout this bitterly waged engagement, Pvt. Hansen, by his indomitable determination, bold tactics and complete disregard of all personal danger, contributed essentially to the success of his company's mission and to the ultimate capture of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His great personal valor in the face of extreme peril reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service."
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His name is included on a Monument in Okinawa, Japan. For that record "Click Here"