Olin Lee Hawkins

Olin Lee Hawkins, born August 18, 1921, 10 miles southwest of Palco, Graham County, Kansas. Olin passed away in Sapulpa on Friday October 20, 2017 at the age of 96.
Parents, Lee & Lulu Louise Hawkins, Olin was the 3rd child of four children. Eleanor Johnson, deceased, Maurine McNeal and Albert Leroy Hawkins, deceased.
From a previous marriage, Olin had two sons, Harold Lee Hawkins, (wife Toni) and Larry Eugene Hawkins (wife Lisa). One grandson, Harold Lee Hawkins Jr., and one Great Granddaughter, Hailey Ann Hawkins.
Olin’s parents move to Luray, Kansas in 1929 which Olin refers to as his home town. All of his schooling except the first grade was at Luray and graduated from the Luray High School in 1939. He attended one college at Fort Hayes Kansas State College. He was active in sports, mainly football, softball and track. He excelled in track and in 1945 winning the Low Hurdles, came within 2.2 seconds of the world record. He also ran the 440 yard dash just under 50 seconds.
During 1940 & 1941, he worked mostly as a farm & ranch hand after which he entered the military service on October 26, 1942. He eventually was assigned to Company F. 222nd Infantry Regiment, 42 (Rainbow) Infantry Division and trained at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, just south of Muskogee. He went to Europe with his unit as a Squad Leader and later as Platoon Sergeant. He participated in 3 major campaigns. He was one of the first American Soldier to enter the German Dachua Concentration Camp. He was discharged November 22, 1945 as a Technical Sergeant.
Olin re-entered the military service on January 7, 1947. Just 54 days after North Korean forces invaded South Korea. Olin was in South Korea fighting with Company K. 38th Infantry Regiment 2nd Infantry Division. He was in the defense of the Pusan Perimeter and also in North Korea when the Chinese intervened. On four different occasions, his unit was completely surrounded by the Chinese forces, fought their way out but with over 50% loss of men. He fought in the May Massacre during May 16-18 when 178,000 Chinese and North Korean attacked the 2nd Division which with supporting units total about 22,000 men. They inflicted over 65,000 casualties on the enemy forces and was awarded th;e Presidential Unit Citation. Olin participated In 5 major campaign in Korea and served as a Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant.
Olin received a direct commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and went on active duty as an officer in October 1951. He served 20 years in the army, attaining the rank of Major upon retirement in January 31, 1964, he was the planning, training and operations officer for the 4th Brigade at Fort Ord, California.
After retirement from the Army, Olin worked for State Farm Insurance Company In Visalia, California as a Claim Representative for 11 years and then for Farmer Insurance Group in Tulsa, Oklahoma for 11 years also as a Claim Representative. He retired at the age of 65 in September 1986.
After retirement, he and his wife did lots travelling throughout United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland and Mexico.
Olin enjoyed excellent health during his entire life span with only one problem, he became hard of hearing.
Olin liked being around people and in his later years, had coffee early morning with friends of the same age and then a couple hours playing dominos. He always had a good outlook on life in general and once stated in Sunday School at the Blackburn Methodist Church that he had never been depressed always thinking that better things are coming. He was a member of the Blackburn Methodist Church.