Michael Wayne Hanks — Michael Wayne Hanks Legacy Foundation

[ PORTRAIT ]

Who He Was

A Kid From Gregory Who Never Left a Friend Behind

Michael was born in Howell, Michigan, and raised in Gregory, attending Fowlerville Community Schools. Teachers remembered him as high-energy, spirited, and someone who had talked about joining the military since boyhood. Classmates remembered something deeper: he was the kid who stepped forward for others, even when it cost him.

He brought that instinct into the Marine Corps and never put it down. The Marines who fought beside him in 1st Platoon, Lima Company, 3/1, describe a fire team leader who commanded respect without losing his sense of humor — someone who lifted morale in the darkest hours of urban warfare and treated the survival of his men as his sole duty.

"He's the reason I got to go home and build a life." — James Conner, Marine, on the team leader who pulled him from fire

The Second Battle of Fallujah

Ten Days Behind the Silver Star

In November 2004, Michael's unit plunged into the unrelenting, close-range room-clearing of Operation Phantom Fury. The actions below are drawn directly from official battle records and his combat citation.

NOV 8, 2004

Into the Ambush, and Back Out

While clearing a heavily fortified building, Michael's fire team was ambushed, resulting in two Marines being mortally wounded. Placing himself directly between the hostile fire and another Marine, he pulled him clear, directed rocket fire into the enemy position, and engaged insurgents setting up an ambush against adjacent American units.

NOV 10, 2004

Close-Range Firefight for a Brother

Observing two enemy fighters who had just wounded a fellow Marine, Michael maneuvered into the open under sustained fire. He eliminated the enemy fighters at point-blank range and carried the wounded Marine, James Conner, to safety.

NOV 17, 2004

The Final Assault

During an assault against a reinforced insurgent stronghold, Michael advanced directly into the fortified structure. He was mortally wounded during the close-quarters firefight that ensued. He was 22 years old.

United States Military Decoration

The Silver Star Citation

"Awarded posthumously for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Fire Team Leader, 1st Platoon, Lima Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 8 to 17 November 2004."

The citation credits Lance Corporal Hanks with moving a wounded Marine out of an impact area, directing rocket fire that suppressed an enemy stronghold, defeating insurgent forces targeting passing American units, advancing into the open to engage enemy fighters at point-blank range, and carrying a wounded Marine to safety. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Living Memorial

LCpl Michael W. Hanks Memorial Bridge · South Grand Ave Over I-96 Designated by Michigan Public Act 65 of 2026

Permanent Remembrance

How His Legacy Endures

2024

Michigan Hall of Honor

Inducted into the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor at the Michigan History Museum in Lansing, one of only six service members inducted that year.

2026

A Bridge in His Hometown

The South Grand Avenue bridge over I-96 in Fowlerville, Michigan — near where he was raised and laid to rest — was officially designated under Public Act 65.

DOCUMENTED

In Print and on Screen

Documented in Patrick K. O'Donnell's bestselling combat history We Were One and featured on the History Channel's Shootout!: D-Day, Fallujah.

The Continuing Charge

He Had Everyone's Back. Now We Have Theirs.

Michael's instinct was to protect the Marine next to him. Founded in 2023, the foundation honors that standard by supporting Gold Star Families, active duty units, and combat veterans nationwide.

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