Hanna's mother remembered him as a classic non-commissioned officer: firm with his troops, yet at the same time a mother hen. "In all his letters, Robert grieved over the young Americans in his command who lost their lives," she said. Hanna had attended Germantown and Murrell Dobbins Vocational high schools before enlisting in the Army in 1953. He served in Korea, Germany and Japan before receiving orders for Vietnam, where he was a platoon sergeant in Company C of the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. The sergeant first class died near Dak To, Kontum Province, on June 9, 1966, two weeks before his 32nd birthday. He was awarded a Silver Star posthumously. In addition to his mother, he was survived by his wife, a son, three daughters, stepfather, brother and sister.