World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Seaman First Class, US Navy on board a landing ship tanker, the USS LST-473. During a landing assault at Lae, New Guinea, on September 4, 1943, his vessel was under enemy fire from shore batteries and aerial bombardment when a torpedo bore down on the ship. The helmsman was dislodged by a bomb blast and Seaman Hutchins was mortally wounded. Fully aware of the dire situation, he grasped the wheel and with his last strength maneuvered the vessel clear of the advancing torpedo. He died of his injuries still clinging to the wheel. For extreme gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and the destroyer escort ship, the USS Johnnie Hutchins, was launched in May 1944.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Seaman First Class, US Navy on board a landing ship tanker, the USS LST-473. During a landing assault at Lae, New Guinea, on September 4, 1943, his vessel was under enemy fire from shore batteries and aerial bombardment when a torpedo bore down on the ship. The helmsman was dislodged by a bomb blast and Seaman Hutchins was mortally wounded. Fully aware of the dire situation, he grasped the wheel and with his last strength maneuvered the vessel clear of the advancing torpedo. He died of his injuries still clinging to the wheel. For extreme gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and the destroyer escort ship, the USS Johnnie Hutchins, was launched in May 1944.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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