Obituary of Col. John M. Hart

Col John M. "Jack" Hart "Professional Soldier" Olean, NY-- Col John M. Hart of 213 S. Clinton St. died Monday (April 24, 2006). Born March 30, 1920 in Buffalo he was the son of Matthew and Josephine !McLaughlin Hart. Due to the death of his mother when he was nine years old, he was raised principally by his grandparents Jack and Margaret Coots !McLaughlin. On October 29, 1945 at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean he married Diana M. Norton who predeceased him February 7, 1984. After graduation in 1941 from St. Bonaventure College with a BA degree and a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery from the ROTC program, Hart was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division which was commanded by General George S. Patton. He served throughout WW II "from Benning to Berlin" in the Division's 78th Field Artillery Battalion. Hart saw combat in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central European Campaigns. He was also in on assault landings in Sicily and Normandy. He ended the war in Berlin, Germany, one of the first units to occupy the Nazi Capital. Hart opted to make a career in the US Army following the end of WWII. He then saw further combat in Korea from 1952 -1953 in the Armored Section of the 3rd Infantry Division. He served in various posts throughout the US including Fort Benning, Fort Sill, The Pentagon, Fort Bragg and Fort Leavenworth. Hart received further education at various command and staff colleges. He served a three year assignment in Japan where he worked as an American Liaison officer with the Japanese army as Chief of the Surface to Air Missile Command. He returned to St. Bonaventure University in 1962 where he was promoted to Colonel and spent 5 years as Professor of Military Science. Hart retired from active duty in 1967. He was then employed as Director of Maintenance at St. Bonaventure University until 1972. Awards and decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Soldier's Medal and the Bronze Star with Two Oak Leaf Clusters. Hart was made Honorary Colonel of the 78th Artillery Regiment at a ceremony at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. His achievements as a professional soldier left all who were under his command with a deep respect for his military prowess during times of training, war and classroom instruction. Col. Hart was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Church and the Bartlett Country Club. Surviving are 1 son John M. (Dea) Hart, Jr. of Olean; 1 daughter Michiko (Earl) !McElfresh of Olean; 6 grandchildren John E. Hart, Michael L. Hart, Louis J. Hart, John M. !McElfresh, Reed H. !McElfresh and Diana H. !McElfresh.; a half brother Thomas J. Hart of Big Flats, NY and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife he was predeceased by a daughter Jessica "Jill" Hart on February 13, 1996 and a son Stephen J. Hart on March 28, 2006. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday (April 27, 2006) at 10:00am in St. Mary of the Angels Church. Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor, will be the principal celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. Bonaventure University.