Hansell, Haywood Shepherd “Possum”, born 28-09-1903, in Fort Monroe, Hampton City, Virginia, USA, 
to Haywood Sheperd Hansell Sr. (1875–1968) and his wife Susan Wharton “Suzie” Wilson Hansell ( 1877–1958). Haywood Jr was married Dorothy “Dotta” Rogers in 1932 in Waco, Texas. 
Haywood graduated from Georgia School of Technology in 1924 with his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. On 23-02-1928, Haywood was appointed a flying cadet. He graduated from primary and advanced flying schools at March Field, California, 
and Kelly Field, Texas, 
28-02-1929, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve 
and assigned to active duty. He received his regular commission as a second lieutenant of Air Corps 02-03-1929.General Hansell’s first assignment was with the Second Bombardment Group 
at Langley Field, Va. In June, 1930, he was transferred to the Sixth Field artillery at Fort Hoyle, Maryland, for three months’ temporary duty, and in September, 1930, returned to Langley Field as armament officer of the Air Corps Tactical School.In August 1931, he went to Maxwell Field, Albama 
where he served with the 51st and 54th School Squadrons. During that tour of duty he served with General Claire Lee Chennault, 
then a captain in the aviation acrobatic team, “Three Men on a Flying Trapeze,” which performed at the National Air Races at Cleveland, Ohio, in September, 1934.General Hansell entered the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field in October 1934, graduated in June 1935, and became an instructor there. In September 1938, he entered the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
, from which he graduated in June 1939. Haywood then was assigned to the Public Relations Section of the Office, Chief of Air Corps, and in September 1939, became assistant executive officer in that office.In November 1939, General Hansell was transferred to the Inte1ligence Division in the Office, Chief of Air Corps. In 1940 he became chief of the Operations Planning Branch, Foreign Intelligence Section in that office. During July and August 1941, he served as a Special Observer at London, England, and then was assigned to the War Plans Division of the Air Staff in Washington, D.C. In April 1942, he was assigned to the Operations Division of the War Department General Staff and served on the Joint Strategic Committee.General Hansell was assigned in August 1942, to command the Third Bomb Wing of the Eighth Air Force 
in Europe. The following December he became commander of the First Bomb Wing of the Eighth Air Force, under command of Major General Ira Clarence Eaker 
in that theater, and in July 1943, was named deputy commander in chief of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force. In October 1943, General Hansell was appointed Air Planner on the Joint Planning Staff at Army Air Forces headquarters, Washington, D.C. In August 1944, it was announced that General Hansell was commanding the XXI Bomber Command. Based on Saipan. Planes of that command raided the industrial sections of Tokyo. General Hansell returned to the United States in January 1945, and the following month assumed command of the 38th Flying Training Wing at Kirtland Field, N.M. In June 1945, he was transferred to Air Transport Command headquarters at Washington, D.C. In September 1945, he was appointed commanding General of the Caribbean Wing, Atlantic Division, Air Transport Command, with station at West Palm Beach, Fla.General Hansell retired with the rank of Brigadier General 31-12-1946. Haywood was recalled to active duty 15-07-1951 and assigned as chief of the Mobilization Division, Directorate of Plans, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at Air Force headquarters. On 02-04-1952, he was appointed assistant for mutual security in that office. In April 1953, General Hansell was appointed the senior Air Force member, Military Studies and Evaluations Division, Weapons Systems Evaluation Group, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.General Hansell has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, 
Legion of Merit, 
Silver Star, 
Distinguished Flying Cross 
and Air Medal. 
He is rated a command pilot, combat observer, and technical observer. During World War II he flew combat missions in the European and Pacific theaters. He was promoted to first lieutenant (permanent) 01-10-1934; to captain (permanent) 02-05-1939; to major (temporary)15-03-1941; to lieutenant colonel (temporary) -05- 01 1942; to colonel (temporary) 01-03-1942; to Brigadier General (temporary), 10-08-1942; to major (permanent) May 02-05-1946; to Major General (temporary) 01-09-1952, with date of rank from 02-09-1947.
Death and burial ground of Hansell, Haywood Shepherd “Possum”.
Hansell took early retirement due to a loss-of-hearing disability, retiring with the rank of Brigadier General on 31-12-1946. He held positions as vice president of Peruvian International Airlines until Peru nationalized the airline in 1949, and vice president of South Atlantic Gas Company from 1949 until his recall to the military.
Hansell was recalled to active duty on 15-07-1951, by Air Force Chief of Staff Hoyt Sandord Vandenberg 
and assigned as Chief, Military Assistance Program Headquarters, USAF, acting as a senior program manager and advisor to the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. On 05-09-1952, he was promoted to Major General. In April 1953, Hansell was appointed the senior Air Force representative to the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group in the Research and Development Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C. He retired a second time from the USAF in 1955.
Hansell worked for General Electric, becoming head of its subsidiary in the Netherlands until 1967, when he retired to Hilton Head, South Carolina. He died on 14-11-1988,age 85, in Hilton Head, of heart failure and pulmonary edema, as he was preparing to leave for a lecture in Canada. He was interred with full military honors at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery. Lot 3, row A, site 68.
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