Hank
Semper K9 is excited to announce the acceptance of Hank into our Service Dogs for Veterans Program. Generously donated by Lynn Michaels, Hank is named in memory of Marine Corps veteran William Henry Jones, III “Hank.”
Born in Charleston, WV, Hank spent his childhood in North Carolina before joining the Marine Corps at 19. During his eight years of distinguished service with his beloved Marine Corps, Hank served tours with 1st Bn 6th Marine Regiment, including a deployment to Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where he served as an infantry assault man and Scout Sniper. He also served a tour with Weapons Training Battalion as a Primary Marksmanship Instructor, where he called upon his formidable marksmanship skills and knowledge to teach hundreds of entry-level Marines the fundamentals of marksmanship. His personal awards included Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal second award and Combat Action Ribbon.
Leaving the service as a Sergeant, Hank chose the challenge of competing in the financial market. He briefly worked as a stockbroker, during which time he bamboozled the love of his life, Melissa, into thinking he was a staid and steady financier. When he had had enough of the desk job, (and had fully secured Melissa), he turned his eye to the Foreign Service, accepting a position as a Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security Service. He spent the ensuing years traveling between assignments all over the globe. He was based in New York, Afghanistan, Norway and Sweden, and volunteered for many temporary deployments, never in what would be considered desirable locations. While most people might wind down their careers with easy jobs and a slower tempo, that was not Hank. Hank finished his agent career as an Operations Chief with Mobile Security Deployments, the State Department’s on-call, tactical response element where he responded to countless crises around the globe. When he “retired” in 2018, he did not go far (figuratively speaking). He remained on the State Department’s roster, and was called upon to temporarily lead Embassy security programs in Bangladesh and Niger.
Hank’s time in the Marines and the State Department encompassed doing things most people see in action movies. He protected world leaders, ensured the safety of Americans overseas and cheated death more than a few times. Along the way, he met forever friends, tapped into a Viking heritage he never knew he had and, on occasion, drank from bottles with no labels in places that never make the travel guides.
Anyone who knew Hank knew his passions for hunting, music, and his land in West Virginia, where he and Melissa spent the last decade developing a beautiful piece of property for their retirement. Hank’s deep appreciation for the land and his creative handiwork are evident in every detail of their farm. But more than hunting or his farm, Hank loved the camaraderie of his family and friends, especially when it included hunting, and it ALWAYS included music. More often than not, you would find him playing the part of a first-class host, entertaining a group at his abode, cooking something delicious, sharing his passions and the fruits of his labor, putting his guests to work on his current projects, and finally, entertaining them with his extensive music collection.
Hank left an indelible impression wherever he went, from West Virginia to the Middle East and places in between. From life-long Marine buddies to adoring grandchildren, nieces and nephews, his presence was palpable. He was many things to many people: “Martha Hank” to his buddies who appreciated his decorating je ne sais quoi, loving husband, son, father and grandfather, big brother… protective, in charge, and generous… and always looking out for his family. Hank passed away on March 28, 2023, following an accident at his farm in LeRoy, WV.
Here is how you can get involved:
Send a gift to Hank from our Amazon Wishlist: https://bit.ly/4aRa2MX
Contribute to Hank’s Training or make a Memorial Gift: Support a Semper K9 Service Dog in Training: Donate
