Johnnie David Hutchins

Infobox Military Person
name=Johnnie David Hutchins
born= birth date|1922|8|4
died= death date and age|1943|9|4|1922|8|4
placeofbirth=Weimer, Texas
placeofdeath=off the coast of Lae, New Guinea
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Naval Reserve
serviceyears=
rank=Seaman First Class
commands=
unit=
battles=World War II *Salamaua-Lae campaign
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Johnnie David Hutchins (August 4, 1922 – September 4, 1943) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Hutchins, aged 21 at his death, was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Eagle Lake, Texas.

Medal of Honor citation

Seaman First Class Hutchins' official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous valor above and beyond the call of duty while serving on board a Landing Ship, Tank, during the assault on Lae, New Guinea, 4 September 1943. As the ship on which Hutchins was stationed approached the enemy-occupied beach under a veritable hail of fire from Japanese shore batteries and aerial bombardment, a hostile torpedo pierced the surf and bore down upon the vessel with deadly accuracy. In the tense split seconds before the helmsman could steer clear of the threatening missile, a bomb struck the pilot house, dislodged him from his station, and left the stricken ship helplessly exposed. Fully aware of the dire peril of the situation, Hutchins, although mortally wounded by the shattering explosion, quickly grasped the wheel and exhausted the last of his strength in maneuvering the vessel clear of the advancing torpedo. Still clinging to the helm, he eventually succumbed to his injuries, his final thoughts concerned only with the safety of his ship, his final efforts expended toward the security of his mission. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Namesake

USS Johnnie Hutchins (DE-360) was named in his honor. The ship was laid down March 6, 1944 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Texas; launched May 2, 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Johnnie M. Hutchins, mother of "Seaman First Class Hutchins"; and commissioned August 28, 1944, Comdr. H. M. Godsey in command.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients

References

*findagrave|7416054 Retrieved on 2007-05-29

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = World War II Medal of Honor Recipients (G-L)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = September 1, 2004
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-g-l.html
accessdate = 2007-05-29

Persondata
NAME= Hutchins, Johnnie David
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=