John D. Hawk

John Druse Hawk
John D. Hawk, Medal of Honor recipient
Nickname(s)	"Bud"
Born	(1924-05-30)May 30, 1924 San Francisco, California
Died	November 4, 2013(2013-11-04) (aged 89) Bremerton, Washington
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1943 - 1945
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	2nd Battalion, 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	World War II  • Falaise pocket
Awards	Medal of Honor Purple Heart (4)

John Druse "Bud" Hawk (May 30, 1924 − November 4, 2013) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War II during the battle of the Falaise pocket.

Hawk was born in San Francisco, California, and grew up in the Rolling Bay area of Bainbridge Island, Washington. He graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1943 and joined the Army two weeks later from Bremerton, Washington.

By August 20, 1944, Hawk was serving in Europe as a sergeant in Company E, 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. During a German counterattack on that day, near Chambois, France, he was wounded in the right thigh while taking cover behind a tree. A German shell had penetrated the tree trunk. ("French apple trees aren't worth a darn," he said in 1994.) Hawk continued to fight and, in order to direct the shots of friendly tank destroyers, he willingly exposed himself to intense enemy fire. For his actions during the battle, he was issued the Medal of Honor on July 13, 1945. The medal was formally presented to him by President Harry Truman.

Hawk recovered from his wounds and continued to serve in combat. He was wounded three more times before the end of the war, earning a total of four Purple Hearts.

In 1945, Hawk returned from the war and then attended the University of Washington, graduating with a bachelor's degree in biology. For more than thirty years he worked as a teacher and principal in the Central Kitsap School District.