John B Hanlon

On, August 20, 2026, John Benjamin Hanlon’s faith became sight as he entered the Holy Presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with his beloved and devoted wife Sylvia by his side, as she had been thru all the hard times.

John claimed his second greatest and cherished gift was his marriage to Sylvia Duncan, his high school sweetheart; second only to God as his tower of strength for their fifty-seven years together.

With strength and light from above, John pushed that wheelchair through challenges, never allowing adversity to define him. Determinedly embracing any obstacle. One would often hear him quip, “Engage the target, and move through it!”

John was born in Ghent, Kentucky on a snowy January 17, 1940 to the late Ola Pauline Lamonds Hanlon and Courtland Scott Hanlon, being the second of three children.

He graduated from Carrollton High School in 1958. The next year he entered Eastern Kentucky University majoring in Geology and Geography. Upon graduation in January 1964, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, Regular Army, Infantry through Eastern’s Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC). Among his cadet awards were recognition as a Distinguished Military Graduate and the recipient of the inaugural Kentucky National Guard College Scholarship.

John served in the 11th Air Assault Division, Fort Benning, Georgia, which was redesignated July 1, 1965, the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) and was soon deployed to South Vietnam. Near midnight on November 3rd, 1965, John led his Platoon of Paratroopers on the first Night Air Assault in Military History using Helicopters into an enemy surrounded Landing Zone, to reinforce a unit that was vastly outnumbered. While commanding his unit, he was wounded in action and continued leading his unit until he had to pass command to his Platoon Sergeant. All units of Company A immediately went through the same harrowing ordeal of assaulting and reinforcing the beleaguered unit. The next morning, John was evacuated to an Army Field Hospital and then on to the States where he underwent 18 months of hospitalization and rehabilitation for Spinal Cord Injuries. He was medically retired due to permanent disability. His Military Awards were the Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Parachutist Badge, and Vietnam Service Medal.

By early summer of 1967 he was able to return home and reunite with family, friends, and the love of his life, Sylvia Duncan. August 16, 1969, Sylvia and John united in marriage and made their home in Memphis, TN.

He attended University of Memphis working on a business degree and began a new career in 1977 at the Kennedy VA Medical Center in Memphis. John assumed a series of progressively responsible positions over the next two decades, retiring in 1998 as Chief, Management Advisory Services Section, Resources Management Service. Throughout his service he received numerous awards from the Veterans Administration. Beyond awards were the Blessings of Lasting Friendships formed with fellow employees.

In his commitment to others, he served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-South Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America. He was Co-Chairman of very successful fund raisers to establish a Civilian Aid Program and support of Spinal Cord Injury Research. John served twenty-five years as an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Kennedy VA Employees Federal Credit Union. He was a Charter Member of the Jumping Mustangs Chapter of the 1st Cavalry Division, serving as the Chapter President the first two years. Along his journey he was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel and Tennessee Colonel.

In 1968 John returned to his alma mater for the dedication of JOHN HANLON DRIVE in his honor and again in 2002 for induction into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni and Honors as the 2002 Outstanding Alumnus.

The enduring friendships of his Pershing Rifle and Jumping Mustang Brothers added richly to his life. Their faithful visits, messages of encouragement, offers to come and help, all lifted his spirits, and helped him endure and persevere.

With profound gratitude, we will always remember our Christian Brother, Duncan Fuller, for all the selfless acts of kindness and support over 36 years and during John’s final battle. A true reflection of Christ’s Love. We likewise express our heartfelt thanks to Christal Pendergrass and Jennifer Carpenter for their compassionate care and assistance to John over the years, a blessing to all the family.

John and Sylvia have been long term members of Bellevue Baptist Church. The teaching and fellowship of the Harvesters Sunday School Class was a double portion of blessings for thirty-six years. Years earlier they were members of Trafalgar Village Baptist Church and John served as deacon to the membership.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and sister, Margaret Elizabeth Hanlon McAfee. Survivors are his loving and devoted wife Sylvia, brother Courtland Lee Hanlon, with whom was shared a bond that gave enduring strength to both. Also, nieces Vickie Warren, Debbie Hoke, Donelda Green, and Diana Tilley. Nephews Scott McAfee, Jamie Hanlon, Danny Perkins, Denny Perkins, Mike Carter, and David McCoy.