Daniel L. Hansen, 24

I attended and graduated Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) School with SSG Hansen. He was always a good Marine and an even better man. Trust me when I say there was no finer Marine. If there are words to describe SSG Hansen they would have to be selfless service, holding American Values and safety higher than his own. America lost a true hero with the death of this fine young Marine. His personality, smile, and diamond quality attributes brought him respect from everyone he knew, especially me. He lived and breathed to serve, giving the ultimate sacrifice serving the country he so dearly loved. He may have passed but he will never be forgotten, his legacy will be left with the lives of those who he touched and to a country with the deepest of gratitude. I am not speaking only for myself when we say; SSG HANSEN WE WILL MISS YOU AND YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

I worked with SSgt Hansen in Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, and I hung out with him on many occasions while he was here in Japan. He was a good friend and even a better Marine. Him giving his life for his brothers and his country shows what kind of person he really was. I will miss the laughs, and most of all i will miss you dear friend. We won't forget you, and i know, i will not. God Bless.

Dan Hansen was a great Marine and a great man. He was a pleasure to serve with at Camp David and would gladly give the shirt off his back for his brothers. I believe it was this selflessness and devotion to duty that led him to take on the dangerous task of an EOD expert and I have no doubt in my mind that he served with the utmost professionalism and was an example to his fellow Marines. We will always remember and miss Dan Hansen.

Dan, you know we miss you. May our actions reflect your sacrifice and our words reflect your memory. Please guide our hands to initial success or may we be blessed with your company on the flip-side!

I also was stationed at WERS-17 at Iwakuni, Japan 37 years ago. I may share his name, shared a duty station, but he gave the ultimate sacrifice. His Life.

"I have never met a greater man in my life, and I might never again. He truly believed in what he did, and he fought for it. He was a man of honor. He always put everyone else in front of himself and helped wherever he could. He was a fighter. He was pure all the way to his soul. I met SSgt. Daniel when he was in Australia and I kept contact with him both when he was stationed in Japan and in Afghanistan. I therefore only had the pleasure of knowing him for a short time, but in spite of that, he still became very dear to me and I will never forget him for the wonderful man he was."

I served with SSGT Hansen in 2006 in Iraq, we actually were roomates for about 12 months, I got to know him pretty well. We shared a intrest in MMA and kickboxing an spent many nights after work sparring . To me he was what you imagined a Marine to be, always devoted to his famliy and the Corps , and you better never talk bad about either of them or he would let you know what was what. Miss you Daniel , You were a great Marine and friend