Albion’s Dream Team.

The 1942 Albion High School half-mile relay team caught the attention of many from near and far.  The crew consisted of seniors Ed McGinley, John Hutchison and Robert Hanlon, with junior Paul Forker rounding out the foursome.  Few competitors could match their combined speed.

Albion H.S. Half-Mile Relay Team, L to R: McGinley, Hutchison, Hanlon and Forker.

The unit placed second behind only Auburn at the highly competitive Kokomo Relays.  Rather than trophies, they received belt buckles for their accomplishment.  In a victory over Kendallville High School, McGinley shattered the previous 100-yard dash record by almost an entire second.

Yet, the members of this team are better known for their sacrifices in World War II.  All four would proudly serve their country.

Best friends, McGinley and Hutchison signed on with the U.S. Marine Corps right out of high school.  While Hutchison made it, McGinley was denied because he was color blind.  Instead, he joined the U.S. Army, which was more than happy to have him.

Ed McGinley - 29th Division

McGinley saw first action, experiencing the worst Germany had to offer in a D-Day landing with with the 115th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division at bloody Omaha Beach.  Although a bullet pierced his field pack and severed his prayer book, he survived.  McGinley fought through the hell of Normandy’s hedgerows to take part in the melee at Brest, France.  There he was severely wounded by an enemy artillery round.  Ultimately, his injuries proved fatal.  Ed McGinley died near St. Lo, France on September 4, 1944.

Teammate, John Hutchison took the news especially hard.  “Johnny came up to the house to talk to my folks after Ed was killed, to console them,” Eddie’s sister, Ruth McGinley Hiatt remembered.  “Mom said that he was just a nervous wreck.  He was overcome with grief.  …They were all just kids.”

J. Hutchison-25th Marines

On February 19, 1945, some five months after McGinley’s death, John Hutchison and his 4th Marine Division poured onto the black sands of Iwo Jima.  Hutchison’s unit, Company L, 25th Marines, would suffer a staggering 92% casualty rate in their D-Day landing, with only 18 of the original 240 members combat ready by day’s end.  John Hutchison died fighting on day one.

Paul Forker was so anxious to take to the skies for his country that he left before his class’s commencement ceremony.  His mother had to sign for him because of his tender age.  Jane Rimmel, his fiancee, still clings to the day he left.  “I remember he was so excited,” she said.  “As he was leaving, he sang, ‘Off we go into the wild blue yonder.’”

Paul Forker - Air Corps

On April 27, 1945, Forker was piloting a C-47 on training exercises near George Field in Lawrenceville, Illinois.  A blown engine at low altitude sent the plane barreling to the ground.  The cockpit bore the brunt of the crash.  Paul Forker was killed.

Robert Hanlon likewise served, but survived.  He would carry the baton for his fallen teammates, who sacrificed all in a span of only eight months during World War II.

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