Hanford Mac Nider - Early Life

Early Life

Hanford MacNider was born in Mason City, Iowa as the son of Charles H. MacNider, a prominent banker, and May Hanford. He attended Milton Academy (a boarding school in Massachusetts) and subsequently Harvard University, where he graduated in 1911 before returning to Iowa.

MacNider joined the United States National Guard and served during the Pancho Villa Expedition during the Mexican Revolution. During World War I, he served as a Captain in the 2nd Infantry Division within American Expeditionary Force in France.

For extraordinary heroism in the battle, MacNider was decorated with two Distinguished Service Crosses, three Silver Stars, Italian War Merit Cross, French Légion d'honneur and French Croix de Guerre with Palm.

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