Mike O' Hagan RIP

[painter777]

Just found out our fellow member Mikey 51, who became Mikey 52 from Wellington, New Zealand passed away earlier this year.
Mike O' Hagan was a ex LEO, Carpenter and a Grandfather of 3.
He had retired in 2017 and passed away on June 9 2020 at the age of 68.
Mike was a big contributor to The Carbine Club and many Carbine forums.
Always willing to report and compare his findings.

Mike and I spent a lot of time researching the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment operations in New Zealand and their actions in Nadzab, New Guinea.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=67618

He spent his free time searching out the training camps and temporary bases the US set up to practice artillery and invasion tactics in the New Zealand terrain similar to areas held by the Japanese.
Mike was a hunter of history.

God Bless

Information

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[imntxs554]

Rest In Peace Mike ������

[Bruce McAskill]

Charlie, Thanks for the information on Mike. I have wondered for awhile if he was OK as it seemed he just dropped out of site even on the New Zealand web site. He was a fine gentleman with quite a bit of important information.

[Singer B]

Another true public servant. RIP sir.

[painter777]

I understand now about his determination after reading a memory posted in his Obit.
He'd often message me that he was heading out for a 2-3 days excursion to find a old US WWII camp. Which would turn in to 7 or 8 days as he looked in to old records, talked with locals and dug deep in to local history. I remember him crawling in to caves used by US forces to simulate the conditions they'd have to fight in and finding what is now a cow pasture but back in the day where Artillery would fire in to the ridge tops. And still having the original street names from the former US camp being there. Same camp that Eleanor Roosevelt visited with one of the roads named Roosevelt during her visit.

I read this Memory in his Obit posted by a friend:

Mike, me old friend. Very sad that you have left us. No more catch ups. I remember the fun and laughter we had as young exuberant detective sergeants fighting crime to the best of our abilities in the hard world of the heroin epidemic in the 70's and early 80's. The effort you put into the teams quest to rid NZ of drugs and general crime has always been in my mind. Your honesty and integrity was never questioned. The world today misses people like you who dedicated a large portion of their working lives so New Zealanders today could live in a better society.
Farewell friend.

Mike will be greatly missed,
Ch-P777

[jimb16]

Whenever I heard about an earthquake in the region, I worried about him. Sad day for us all. He will be missed.

[CINDERS]

To young at 68 RIP.

[painter777]

To young at 68 RIP.

Yes to young.
Mike was only retired for a couple years and finally had the time to spend with Grandkids and his excursions.

Here's part of the last Email we shared from June 2018. I left out some personal things and his views on the brewing N.Z. political climate about firearms to keep our Mods happy-

"I have just returned to N.Z from a holiday in Australia. Next door to the pub where I spent many hours drinking beer, was an old rusty car and fixed to the car was an old M2 50 cal ammo box. I found it very interesting. Probably left in Oz since the war. Pics attached. Please feel free to share with any 50 cal historians!

In the Australian War Museum I found what they call an "Owen Gun". This is a rare sub machine gun the Ozzies invented and built themselves to fight the Japs in the jungles of New Guinea. It's described as the Ozzie version of the Sten Gun. Pic attached.

All is well here. I am in Auckland at the moment as that is where the grand children are but I am thinking of returning to my home town of Wellington.

I turned 65 last year so being retired is very, very nice.

Keep in touch. Cheers. Mike"

Some of the pictures he sent me while visiting Australia. A pub he found with the old truck outside:











"In the Australian War Museum I found what they call an "Owen Gun". This is a rare sub machine gun the Ozzies invented and built themselves to fight the Japs in the jungles of New Guinea. It's described as the Ozzie version of the Sten Gun."



It always amazed me what the man could find and how much he loved to share them.

Charlie-P777