John T. Hawk

John T. Hawk RA19551300

September 21, 1937 – December 24, 2018

The Sergeant Major climbed aboard his tank for his final road march to Fiddler’s Green.

He was born in Los Angeles, California to George and Helen Hawk. He was preceded in death by his wife Lieselotte, daughter Susie and brother David.

While serving with the 35th Tank Battalion 4th Armored Division, he met the love of his life Lieselotte Harig—the Honey Bunny as he called her.

They married in Erlangen, Germany on 5 May 1959. He is survived by daughter Heide, son-in-law Don whom he called “The golf nut!”, granddaughter Andrea and her husband Kevin, granddaughter Jackie, grandson Daniel, sister Judy, nieces Petra and Alexandra, great-nephew Michael as well as three great-grandchildren, Paisley, Meyer and Nikolai.

He served in many Tank Battalions 57th, 37th, 35th, 34th, 67th, 70th, 32nd and Cavalry Squadrons in the 10th and 7th and 11th and 14th Cavalry Regiments. He served in the 2nd Battle Group 8th Infantry and 1st Infantry Regiment.

He served in the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 24th Infantry Divisions and the 2nd and 4th Armored Division. In Vietnam, he served in A Company, 3rd Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade and H Company, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.

He was a graduate of the 8th Infantry Division NCO Academy, 7th Army NCO Academy, 24th Infantry Division NCO Academy, the Sergeant Majors Academy. He was a Master Tank Gunner, a lifetime member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Association and the Association of the United States Army. His decorations included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two Palms, Army Commendation Medal with one Palm, Good Conduct Medal with 7th Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

God blessed him all his life and watched over him peace and war.