Claire E. Hutchin Jr.

Claire Elwood Hutchin Jr. (January 9, 1916 – June 22, 1980) was a highly decorated lieutenant general in the United States Army. He received two Distinguished Service Crosses during the Korean War, and later commanded the 4th Infantry Division and First United States Army.

Claire Elwood Hutchin Jr
Born(1916-01-09)January 9, 1916
Washington, Illinois
DiedJune 22, 1980(1980-06-22) (aged 64)
Severna Park, Maryland
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1938–1973
RankLieutenant General
Commands heldFirst United States Army
V Corps
4th Infantry Division
123rd Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsWorld War II
Korean War
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross (2)
Army Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star
Legion of Merit (5)
Bronze Star Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Purple Heart (2)

Early life

Hutchin was born in Washington, Illinois, on January 9, 1916. He was named after his father, a lawyer who saw service in World War I.

Military career

Hutchin was appointed to the United States Military Academy in 1934 from Washington state where his father was posted at Vancouver Barracks, Washington. He graduated with the class of 1938 and was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to the 29th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, until July 1941.

World War II

At the time of the United States entry into World War II, Hutchin was assistant staff officer G1 (administration) for the 4th Infantry Division until attending the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in early 1942. In April, Hutchin became assistant G2 (intelligence) staff officer for the 7th Infantry Division, then at Fort Ord, California.[1]

In 1943, Hutchin was assistant G3 (operations and plans) staff officer for IX Corps. Later that year he received a wartime commission as lieutenant colonel and posting with the Southeast Asia Command joint planning staff. After the war he transferred to the War Department general staff operations division strategy section. In November 1946, Hutchin was assistant executive officer for General George C. Marshall's special presidential mission to China. He returned to China as part of General Albert Coady Wedemeyer's presidential mission in late 1947. By the end of the year, Hutchin was joint secretary then joint planner with the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC) joint staff.[2]

Korean War

In the Korean War, Hutchin was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for commanding the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment against the Chinese offensive from November 25–30, 1950, around Kujangdong, Korea. Hutchin was engaged in a series of defensive actions, counterattacks and withdrawals against superior enemy forces when his Company C, was overrun and suffered losses of combat leadership and material. Taking personal command, he recovered the disorganized elements of the company, recovered the unit's original position and relieved troops surrounded when the position was overrun.

Later, his battalion was assigned as the rear guard for the 2nd Infantry Division withdrawal from Kujangdong and fought two enemy battalions with a single rifle company and armored company.[3][4]

Later career

As a major general, Hutchin commanded the 4th Infantry Division from September 1963 to June 1965. [5]

From July 1967 to August 1969, Lieutenant General Hutchin was deputy commander/chief of staff for United States Pacific Command. [6] From 1969 to 1971, Hutchin served as the Commanding General, V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany. Hutchin commanded the First United States Army at Fort Meade, Maryland from 1971 until his retirement in 1973. He was succeeded by Glenn D. Walker.

Awards and decorations
Combat Infantryman Badge with star
 Distinguished Service Cross with oak leaf cluster
 Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Silver Star
 Legion of Merit with four oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Army Commendation Medal
 Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
 Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one service star and Arrowhead device
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
 National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
 Korean Service Medal with one service star
Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Cravat (Taiwan)
United Nations Korea Medal
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References
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. Branham, Charles N. (1955). Charles N. Branham (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, Supplement Volume 9. West Point, New York: The Association of Graduates U.S. Military Academy.
  2. Branham
  3. "The Second Infantry Division in Korea: Terrain Sketch of Kunnu-Ri". 2nd Infantry Division, Korean War Veterans Alliance. Archived from the original on 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  4. Hamburger, Kenneth Earl (2003). Leadership in the Crucible: The Korean War Battles of Twin Tunnels and Chipyong-ni. College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press. pp. 35, 53. 57–59. ISBN 978-1-58544-232-4.
  5. "Division Matrix: 4th Infantry Division Commanders". United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  6. "U.S. Pacific Command Deputy Commander (J01)". U.S. Pacific Command. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
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